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International Humanitarian Law

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:7.00
Study Course Accepted:02.02.2024 12:29:55
Study Course Information
Course Code:JF_008LQF level:Level 6
Credit Points:2.00ECTS:3.00
Branch of Science:Law; State's RightsTarget Audience:Juridical Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:Ilze Bērziņa
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfatrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)10Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures20
Classes (count)6Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes12
Total Contact Hours32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)4Lecture Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Lectures8
Classes (count)1Class Length (academic hours)2Total Contact Hours of Classes2
Total Contact Hours10
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Public International Law.
Objective:
Enable students to acquire knowledge of the laws related to armed conflicts (war), their characteristics, development and sources. By analysing real armed conflicts, students have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges of international humanitarian law and the problems related to its application.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Subject of the international humanitarian law.Lectures2.00auditorium
2Types of warfare, commencement and arena. Methods and means of warfare.Lectures2.00auditorium
3Methods and means of warfare. People and objects involved in an armed conflict, their status and protection.Lectures2.00auditorium
Classes2.00auditorium
4Air and naval warfare, neutrality and occupation.Lectures2.00auditorium
5International institutions.Lectures2.00auditorium
6Application of international humanitarian law today.Classes4.00auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.TopicType of ImplementationNumberVenue
1Subject of the international humanitarian law.Lectures1.00auditorium
2Types of warfare, commencement and arena. Methods and means of warfare.Lectures1.00auditorium
3Methods and means of warfare. People and objects involved in an armed conflict, their status and protection.Lectures1.00auditorium
Classes0.50auditorium
4Air and naval warfare, neutrality and occupation.Lectures1.00auditorium
6Application of international humanitarian law today.Classes0.50auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
During course it is mandatory that students write an argumentative essay (the content of the essay should contain: a problem, causation of the problem, solution of the problem). The essay must be submitted electronically until the lecturer's indicated date.
Assessment Criteria:
At the end of the study course the test is a written examination. A written assignment – the essay, of high quality and submitted in a timely manner.
Final Examination (Full-Time):Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:On completion of the study course, students will have acquired knowledge of: • the sources of international humanitarian law, its formation, development and principles; • the application of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts; • the role of various international organisations and their impact on armed conflicts in the world and their relation to international humanitarian law. Students will expand their field of vision and understanding of international laws and develop legal thinking.
Skills:Skills to analyse, synthesize and evaluate the role and importance of international humanitarian rights and to develop scientific research skills. Communication skills: ability to communicate with other undergraduate students on issues related to international humanitarian rights; to demonstrate social skills and emotional intelligence. Build reasoning skills and the ability to listen to various opinions. Other general skills: take responsibility for their decisions and actions, make critically wise decisions and find solutions in unpredictable and changing circumstances; adapt to new situations and be open to change, take leadership and initiative and be responsible for consequences, respect ethical norms, demonstrate broad general knowledge and competences. Improve the ability to listen to different points of view.
Competencies:Capacity to perform specific tasks related to humanitarian rights, ability to use knowledge and skills for professional and personal development. Application of legal provisions not only ‘mechanically’ but in accordance with the interests and priorities of the society, thereby synthesizing the ability to work with the regulatory framework and understanding of law in general. To provide not only formal solutions to the challenges related to the sector of humanitarian rights, but find solutions that would serve the expectations and priorities of the society (local community) and improve public administration in general.
Bibliography
No.Reference
Required Reading
11864. gada Ženēvas konvencija „Par ievainoto un slimo stāvokļa uzlabošanu karojošajās armijās”
21899. gada Hāgas Konvencija
31906.gada Ženēvas Konvencija — “Par ievainoto un slimo kā arī jūras kara flotes kuģu katastrofās cietušo stāvokļa uzlabošanu”
41907. gada Hāgas Konvencija par kara uz sauszemes likumiem un paražām
51925. gada Ženēvas Protokols par ķīmiskajiem ieročiem
61945. gada Apvienoto Nāciju Organizāciju statūti
71949. gada I Ženēvas Konvencija “Par ievainoto un slimo stāvokļa uzlabošanu karojošajās armijās”
81949. gada II Ženēvas Konvencija “Par ievainoto un slimo kā arī jūras kara flotes kuģu katastrofās cietušo stāvokļa uzlabošanu”
91949. gada III Ženēvas Konvencija “Par izturēšanos pret karagūstekņiem”
101949. gada IV Ženēvas Konvencija “Par civiliedzīvotāju aizsardzību kara laikā”
111975. gada Konvencija par bioloģiskajiem ieročiem
121974. gada ANO rezolūcija “Par agresiju”.
131977. gada Ženēvas Konvenciju 1. Papildprotokols “Par cietušo aizsardzību starptautiskajos bruņotajos konfliktos”
141977. gada Ženēvas konvenciju 2. Papildprotokols “Par cietušo aizsardzību nestarptautiskajos bruņotajos konfliktos”
151998. gada Romas starptautiskās krimināltiesas statūti
162005.gada Ženēvas konvenciju 3. Papildprotokols “Par papildu atšķirības emblēmu apstiprināšanu”
17Verri P. Dictionary of the International Law of Armed Conflict, International committee of the Red Cross, 1992, Geneva, 145 pages.
18Edited by: Fleck D. The handbook of international humanitarian law, second edition, Oxford, 2007, 770 pages.
Additional Reading
1The law of armed conflict: international humanitarian law in war / Gary D. Solis. Second edition. Oxford [UK]; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2016.
2International humanitarian law and international human rights law: pas de deux / edited by Orna Ben-Naftali. Oxford [England];New York : Oxford University Press, 2011
3International humanitarian law: theory practice, context / Daniel Thürer. Hague: Hague Academy of International Law, 2011
Other Information Sources
1United Nations
2American Society of International Law
3International Committee of the Red Cross
4Yerabook of international Humanitarian Law