LAW5338 International humanitarian law
Faculty of Law
LAW5338 International humanitarian law is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Law. It isn't offered in 2026. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Not offered
- Assessment
- Exam 45%
- and 2 other tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before LAW5338
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After LAW5338
No unit lists LAW5338 as a prerequisite in the 2026 handbook.
Enrolment rules
For Legal Studies students (L4004, L5004, L6013) you must have completed LAW5000 or LAW5081; and
For Juris Doctor students (L6005), you must have completed 72 credit points of study.
Overview
International humanitarian law (IHL) is a body of law that governs the conduct of armed conflict. It is established and developed to limit the effects of armed conflict, establishing protection for civilians and combatants no longer participating in the conflict. After an introduction to the concept and role of IHL, the unit examines its historical development, the body of rules and their sources, particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977, and the development of IHL through the interpretation of custom by international courts and tribunals, by states and by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Offerings in 2026
The 2026 handbook lists no offerings for LAW5338.
Assessment
- Class participationDemonstration10%
- Research assignmentWritten45%
- Take home examExamination45%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply knowledge and understanding of recent developments in relation to the permissibility of armed conflict in international law, and the way in which the international humanitarian law regulates the conduct of armed conflict with creativity and initiative to new situations in professional practice and/or for further learning;
- 2
Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories in relation to international humanitarian law;
- 3
Conduct research in international humanitarian law based on knowledge of appropriate research principle and methods; and
- 4
Use cognitive, technical and creative skill to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to way in which international humanitarian law is enforced and future challenges for international humanitarian law.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit typically comprises of a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study applicable to a 6 credit point unit. Learning activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning, and online engagement.
Learning resources
Required resources
See the Moodle unit page for prescribed and recommended resources. Prescribed texts are usually available for purchase through the University Bookstore and are sometimes available for short-term loan or as eBooks through the library.
Where it fits
LAW5338 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for LAW5338?
LAW5338 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is LAW5338 offered?
LAW5338 has no offerings listed in the 2026 handbook.
Does LAW5338 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 45% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include LAW5338?
LAW5338 is part of Global society and human rights.