Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Law School
The course begins by considering the key rules and principles of international law regulating the conduct of armed conflict, focusing on the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977. It then examines the central principles and procedures of international criminal law, as developed and applied by bodies such as the International Criminal Court.
This course will introduce some of the basic principles of international humanitarian law (also known as the international law of armed conflict) and international human rights law. The first half of the course will focus on international humanitarian law, covering its historical origins, philosophical foundations, sources, and key doctrines. We will then turn to international human rights law, beginning with the philosophical concept of human rights and then looking at the history, sources, and machinery of this field of law. The content and scope of international human rights law will be illustrated through selected case studies. The course will end by considering the enforcement and implementation of both international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
All Level 1 LAWS courses
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
LAWS5155 or 7155 or 7156
Restrictions
LLB(Hons) and LLB(Hons) dual programs
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
- To introduce students to international humanitarian and criminal law;
- To assist students in applying the sources and principles of international humanitarian and criminal law to factual scenarios;
- To introduce students to the key sources and institutions of international humanitarian and criminal law; to assist students in reflecting on the challenges and limitations of these sources and institutions;
- To assist students in developing skills in research, critical analysis, legal argument and written and oral communication;
- To assist students in developing an understanding of current issues in international humanitarian and criminal law;
- To assist students in developing an understanding of the practical, theoretical and policy questions and challenges associated with international humanitarian and criminal law;
- To encourage students to develop an appreciation of the legal and ethical obligations incumbent upon states, individuals, and legal practitioners, in relation to international humanitarian and criminal law.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate knowledge of international humanitarian and criminal law.
LO2.
Apply the sources and principles of international humanitarian and criminal law to factual scenarios.
LO3.
Demonstrate an understanding of the key sources and institutions relevant to international humanitarian and criminal law, and reflect on the challenges and limitations of these sources and institutions.
LO4.
Demonstrate skills in research, critical analysis, legal argument and written and oral communication.
LO5.
Work in a team to develop your understanding and analysis of the law, including current issues in international humanitarian and criminal law.
LO6.
Appreciate the practical, theoretical and policy questions and challenges associated with international humanitarian and criminal law.
LO7.
Appreciate the legal and ethical obligations incumbent upon states, individuals and legal practitioners, in relation to international humanitarian and criminal law.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Group Presentation and Individual Reflection
|
40% |
15/09/2025 - 26/09/2025 |
| Examination |
End-of-semester Examination
|
60% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
Assessment details
Group Presentation and Individual Reflection
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
15/09/2025 - 26/09/2025
Task description
Step 1: Group presentation 30% (15 minutes plus 10 minutes Question & Answer)
Group formation and sign-up for presentations
A sign-on sheet will be circulated during the semester. Groups will need to select a time in week 8 or 9 to present.
By Week 3, you will form a small group (4-5 students) that you will work in for your Group Presentation. You will be given opportunities to form groups during seminars. Your assessment task will be a group presentation, accompanied by short written work.
Topic Choice
Your group will choose a topic from a set of possible research topics that will be drawn from material throughout the course. The questions will require students to research and analyse contemporary issues and controversies in international humanitarian and/or international criminal law. The task requires knowledge of the law, relevant case studies, and scholarly literature.
Format
Oral presentation sessions will be two hours, to allow 3-4 groups to present. All group members must be present for the session. Your group will present to the course lecturers (Professor Liivoja and Dr Goss) and a small group of fellow law students. The oral presentations will be recorded. You may use media to support your in-person presentation, e.g. PowerPoint slides or handouts. Each member of the group will be required to contribute to researching the topic and developing the presentation. Students may decide to share the actual oral presentation process, or choose representatives of the group to present the paper. However, all students must be prepared to answer questions during the Question and Answer component. Every group member will receive the same mark, unless a case is made otherwise. The course lecturers will review the presentation to provide moderation of grades. Further information and details on assessment criteria will be provided.
Step 2: Individual reflection 10% (650 words maximum)
By midday on the day of your presentation, each student will be required to submit an INDIVIDUAL reflection on their experience of the task. This will include reflections about the topic and the legal issues studied, your contribution to the project, and the group work process. Words in excess of the word limit will not be read/marked. Further guidance will be provided in class.
Use of AI
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
The presentation will be in person. The reflection must be submitted electronically in a Word document via both Learn.UQ and Turnitin on the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
If your group is seriously affected by illness or other extenuating circumstances, please contact the course coordinator as soon as possible to discuss options.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
For the individual reflection, students will lose 10% of the mark each day after the due date.
End-of-semester Examination
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
The final assessment for the course will be a written exam, held in the end of semester exam period. The exam will consist of two equally weighted questions. The exam will be open book. It will assess material relating to both international humanitarian law and international criminal law.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open book examination - any written or printed material is permitted; material may be annotated |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 47 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 48 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Seminar |
Seminar 1: Introduction to the Course and Scope of Application of IHL |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Seminar |
Seminar 2: Conduct of Hostilities 1: Targeting |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Seminar |
Seminar 3: Conduct of Hostilities II: Means and Methods of Warfare |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Seminar |
Seminar 4: Specially Protected Persons 1: Wounded and Sick, Civilians |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Seminar |
Seminar 5: Specially Protected Persons II: Detainees |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Seminar |
Seminar 6: Introduction to International Criminal Law; History and Theoretical Foundations of International Criminal Law |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Seminar |
Seminar 7: International Criminal Court (Jurisdictional features, basic structure, key principles) |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Seminar |
Seminar 8: Overview of Core Crimes I: War Crimes and Aggression |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Seminar |
Seminar 9: Overview of Core Crimes II: Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Seminar |
Seminar 10: Modes of Responsibility & State Enforcement of ICL |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course: