Universität Wien

030058 KU The Law of Armed Conflict (2025S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 3 - Rechtswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
We 18.06. 10:00-12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 56 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 12.03. 10:00 - 14:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 19.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 26.03. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 02.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 09.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 30.04. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 07.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 14.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 21.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 28.05. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 04.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 04.06. 12:00 - 14:00 Hörsaal U12 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1
  • Wednesday 11.06. 10:00 - 12:00 Hörsaal U15 Schottenbastei 10-16, Juridicum, KG1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This cours aims provides an introduction into the law of armed conflicts, also known as ius in bello or international humanitarian law. Topics include
– the history and development of legal rules of warfare: from the Crimea war 1853-1856 to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the Gaza war
– the basic rules of warfare as enshrined in the four Geneva Conventions and the two additional protocols: Protection of wounded, sick, and shipwrecked soldiers, Prisoners of War, Protction of Civilians, the Law of Occupation and Rules on Warfare (means and methods, legitimate and unlawful targets, proportionality)
– Human Rights Law during armed conflicts
– disarmament and arms treaties (landmines, chemical or nuclear weapons)
– selected aspects of International Criminal Law
– special topics and recent trends such as the impact of artificial intelligence, drone strikes, cyber warfare, or hybrid threats
– the ethics of warfare: asymmetric conflicts and post-heroism

Assessment and permitted materials

Midterm during on May, 14th in the final 15 minutes, ie from 1145-1200h, physical presence in the classroom required.
Final exam in the last session via Moodle (also on site). Single Choice, Multiple Choice, fill-in-the-blank, macthing-, and right/wrong-questions.
Active discussions in class on the basis of the course material as provided on Moodle. Participation will be taken into account.
(Voluntary) presentation of an article dealing with IHL.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Basic knowledge of international law is helpful but not a prerequisite
active participation in class or via Moodle (up to 5 bonus points)
Midterm exam (on site!): 10 points
Final exam (on site!): 30 points
Overall grade: (> 19 points/50% out of a total of 40 points necessary for a positive grade)
Grading
40-37 points: 1 (very good)
36-33: 2 (good)
31-26: 3 (average)
25-20:4 (sufficient)
0-19: 5 (not sufficient)
two unexcused absences are allowed

Examination topics

slides, videos, and articles will be uploaded on Moodle

Reading list

Emily Crawford/Alison Pert, International Humanitarian Law (3rd ed, Cambridge University Press 2024)

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Th 22.05.2025 11:25