Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide students with an awareness of the historical backdrop against which LOAC developed.

To provide students with a deep understanding of the principles of LOAC at a theoretical level.

To furnish students with the tools necessary to critically assess LOAC.

To enable students to apply LOAC to practical situations.

To stimulate students’ awareness of contemporary and future challenges for the law.

To develop students’ research skills.

To encourage student-driven learning.

Outline Of Syllabus

The proposed outline of the syllabus is as follows, with the proviso that topics and emphasis may change each year dependent upon current issues, controversies and developments.

1. History of Law of Armed Conflict
2. Conflict Classification
3. Principles of Humanity and Military Necessity
4. Principle of Distinction
5. Proportionality
6. Methods of Warfare
7. Means of Warfare

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the following.

- The historical ideas, conflicts and institutions that resulted in the evolution of LOAC;
- The rules, principles and norms that comprise LOAC;
- The challenges posed by new methods and means of warfare to LOAC;
- The underlying tension between the competing interests of humanitarian considerations and military expediency;
- The manner in which LOAC is applied to govern conflicts in practice;
- The institutions involved in implementation of LOAC;
- The contemporary and future issues that pose challenges to LOAC.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Cognitive skills – having completed the module, students will be able to demonstrate these subject-specific skills:

- The ability to interpret and apply some of the key treaties and jurisprudence comprising LOAC;
- The ability to critically reflect upon the strengths and weaknesses of LOAC as it is currently constituted;
- The ability to engage with the broader historical, theoretical and political aspects of LOAC, going beyond an understanding of the legal framework.


Key transferable skills – having completed the module, students will be able to:

- Engage in the interpretation of legal documents and to think of law not only in terms of doctrine, but in terms of real-world applications and effects;
- Deal effectively with complicated real-world scenarios relating to the application of law;
- Demonstrate critical reasoning skills;
- Demonstrate skills in collecting, handling, evaluating and applying information;
- Demonstrate oral and written presentation skills, through active participation in class and preparation of written tasks;
- Demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research and identify relevant primary and secondary legal materials, as well as relevant non-legal sources.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The seminar-based model provides an ideal opportunity for a dynamic and thorough discussion of the matters under consideration, allowing for the examination of detailed issues and the contribution of all students in the group.

Students are required to undertake in-depth preparation, including by undertaking independent research, and to develop and present legal arguments to the group by reference to academic commentary, the law and the jurisprudence. This allows students to develop research and analytical skills, to develop substantial legal arguments, and to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the complexities and impact derived from the interaction between different legal orders on the status of individuals.

The drop-in sessions are strategically positioned to assist students.

The teaching methods have been adapted for delivery in the post-COVID environment and are based on the
presumption that in person sessions will be possible but that this shall need to be supplemented by making alternative arrangements under ‘FLEX’ in case of the possibility of more limited
possibilities for on Campus teaching.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The formative examination provides students with an opportunity to write a response on the subject and to get feedback on this. This ensures that they are familiar with the expectations well-ahead of the summative examination.

The summative examination provides an important incentive for students to establish substantial knowledge in the subject. The examination tests the demonstration of knowledge and understanding by applying the skills that need to be developed over the whole module. The examination provides a means for testing students' ability to analyse, synthesise, deploy critical judgement and evaluate alternative arguments. It also allows candidates to demonstrate intended learning outcomes across a broad range of topics within the syllabus. The limited duration of the examination gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their prioritisation capabilities. The digital format of the examination under invigilated conditions ensures authentic authorship.

General Notes

N/A