This module studies the evolution and current practice of the laws of war (which is also referred to as International Humanitarian Law or the Law of Armed Conflict or jus in bello).
The module aims to develop:
a knowledge of the international legal principles regulating the conduct of armed conflict and a critical awareness of the context, origins and nature of the laws of war to acknowledge the colonial, gendered and exclusionary history of this component of international law
an appreciation of philosophical perspectives on these laws
an understanding of the principal institutional structures for the creation and implementation of the laws of war
an understanding of the key issues for further development of the law and of current initiatives for change;
an understanding of the different roles played by individuals and institutions in armed conflict and the various ways law impacts upon their work; and
an ability to apply the norms of international humanitarian law to specific case studies and be able to conduct research in the field of international humanitarian law
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The module would be delivered to cover the following:
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
Jeff McMahan Killing in war 2009
Helen Frowe Defensive killing 2018
Pablo Kalmanovitz, The Laws of War in International Thought 2020
Andrew Williams The Iraq abuse allegations and the limits of UK law (2018) Public Law
G. Ferry Oppression Through Protection: A Survey of Femininity in Foundational International Humanitarian Law (2016) Texts in Law and Inequality: A Journal of Theory and Practice
Gary Bass, Jus Post Bellum (2004) Philosophy & Public Affairs
N. Berman Privileging Combat? Contemporary Conflict and the Legal Construction of War (2004) Columbia Journal of Transnational Law
M. Wagner The Dehumanization of International Humanitarian Law: Legal, Ethical, and Political Implications of Autonomous Weapon Systems (2014) Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law
Victor Tadros Orwell's Battle with Brittain: Vicarious Liability for Unjust Aggression (2014) Philosophy & Public Affairs
Mark A. Drumbl Reimagining child soldiers in international law and policy (2012)
Saba Bazargan The ethics of war: essays (2017)
Students will be required to research specific areas of law for their assessments and in relation to group work that may be undertaken during the module
The historical and political contexts of the subject will be key components of study.
The subject is focused on international law so has an inherent international quality
Critical analysis
Legal argument
Research
Oral presentation
Writing
Oral and written advocacy
Critical analysis
Research
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Seminars | 7 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Private study | 89 hours (59%) |
| Assessment | 45 hours (30%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Preparation for seminar/workshops and research for final assessment
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 100% | 45 hours | No |
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Students will be required to write a policy brief that reports to an international organisation on the current state of an aspect of the laws of war and how it might be changed. |
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An outline and draft introduction will be the formative assessment on which students will receive tutor written feedback
Full written feedback will also be given on the final assessment
This module is Optional for:
This module is Unusual option for:
This module is Option list A for:
This module is Option list B for: