Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Shireen Daft
Contact via iLearn
6FW 541
By Appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp including LAWS2000 or LAWS259 or LAW459 or LAWS1010 or LEX101
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
War presents one of the most serious and enduring challenges to the practice of international law. This unit explores the field of international humanitarian law, the body of law that has developed to limit and regulate armed conflict. International humanitarian law seeks to balance military objectives and priorities against considerations of human suffering and priorities against considerations of human suffering and the humanitarian impact of conflict. This course will explore the role of international law in providing a framework to address contemporary challenges during armed conflict, including the protection of civilians, the status and treatment of combatants, and the protection of the environment and cultural heritage. It will also explore the rules relating to the means and methods of warfare, including the challenges faced by rapid technological development. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Late Assessment Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved: (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (including weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – for example, quizzes and online tests and exams. Applications for a Disruption to Studies are made electronically via ask.mq.edu.au and should be accompanied by supporting documentation. Students should refer to the Disruption to Studies policy for complete details of the policy and a description of the supporting documentation required.
Submission
All written assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically by way of Turnitin on the iLearn page. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit.
Format
All assessment tasks in this unit must be typed in Word format and be double spaced to facilitate marking in Turnitin. All assessments must be appropriately referenced, applying the AGLC4 for all citation.
Word Limits
Word limits will be strictly applied and work above the word limit will not be assessed. Footnotes are only to be used for referencing. Substantive material in footnotes will not be marked.
Marking
Detailed marking rubrics will be made available on iLearn. In addition, tutors will be provided with detailed marking guides to ensure consistency. All fail papers will be double marked.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Research Paper Proposal | 10% | No | 19/03/21 |
Research Paper | 50% | No | 06/06/21 |
Discussion Forums | 20% | No | Ongoing |
Participation | 20% | No | Ongoing |
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 19/03/21
Weighting: 10%
Students required to develop and submit a research question and proposal for an independent research paper.
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: 06/06/21
Weighting: 50%
Students are required to submit a research paper that critically analyses international humanitarian law
Assessment Type 1: Non-academic writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Students will post blog-style contributions to discussion forums.
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Students will be required to contribute to the participation projects including a semester-long role play involving military decision making where they will be assessed on their ability to apply the rules of war, and assessed on contribution to class discussion about these rules.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
There will be a weekly 2 hour lecture for this unit, which will be recorded. It will be followed by a 1 hour tutorial on the topic for internal students, and online courses offered for those taking the infrequent option, or who would prefer not to be on campus during 2021. Both lectures and tutorials will commence from week 1, though week 1 classes will be an introduction to the expectations of the unit.
Required Readings
There is no set textbook for this unit. Required readings will be available on Leganto and iLearn. Engagement with these readings will be necessary for effective contributions to the assessments, particularly the online discussion forums.
Recommended Readings
While all readings for the unit will be made available on Leganto, including recommended readings, the following books provide excellent overview of the subject as a whole:
Other recommended readings per topic will be provided on iLearn.
All Unit requirements and a weekly teaching schedule are outlined in iLearn.
All assessments are to be submitted electronically via Turnitin.
Session 1 |
LAWS5087 |
Week 1 |
Introduction to International Humanitarian Law: History, Theory, and Scope |
Week 2 |
International v Non-International Armed Conflict |
Week 3 |
Lawful Combatants |
Week 4 |
Civilians and Civilian Objects in Armed Conflict |
Week 5 |
Protected Persons |
Week 6 |
Methods of Armed Conflict |
Week 7 |
Means of Warfare |
Week 8 |
The Role of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement |
Week 9 |
Protection of the Environment
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Week 10 |
Protection of Cultural Heritage
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Week 11 | Implementation and Enforcement |
Week 12 |
Prosecuting War Crimes: The Role of International Criminal Law |
Week 13 |
The Future of IHL |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.04 of the Handbook