International Humanitarian Law
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course's aim is to guide students to understanding contemporary armed conflicts and their repercussions on individual rights and on current migratory flows. A first part of the course introduces students to rules governing hostilities and to basic humanitarian principles during international and non-international armed conflicts. A second part focuses on individual criminal responsibility for crimes committed during armed conflicts and on international criminal courts. The teaching methodology provides lectures alongside group works and practical exercises.
Expected learning outcomes
Teaching methods are conceived in order to strengthen students' skills to use their legal knowledge within the realm of language mediation and intercultural communication activities.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Should restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic make it impossible to carry out teaching activities in person, all lessons would be held on the MS Teams platform.
Course syllabus
Units 1 and 2:
Introduction to international humanitarian law; ius ad bellum; scope of application of international humanitarian law; neutrality; fundamental principles of the international law of armed conflict; the protection of persons hors de combat and prisoners of war; the protection of civilians; belligerent occupation; means and methods of warfare; the protection of cultural property; means to ensure accountability (including international criminal justice); selected topics, e.g., the protection of the environment (only for attending students).
Unit 3:
Modulo II: "Protezione internazionale" (6 CFU)
The module aims to provide students with tools and knowledge on refugee law and human rights protection. The module will illustrate the rules that protect foreigners against violations of fundamental rights following expulsion to third countries. Particular emphasis will be given to international and European standards for the protection of asylum seekers and refugees. The complementary forms of protection existing in European Union law and in the European Convention on Human Rights, as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights, will also be illustrated.
Introduction to international humanitarian law; ius ad bellum; scope of application of international humanitarian law; neutrality; fundamental principles of the international law of armed conflict; the protection of persons hors de combat and prisoners of war; the protection of civilians; belligerent occupation; means and methods of warfare; the protection of cultural property; means to ensure accountability (including international criminal justice); selected topics, e.g., the protection of the environment (only for attending students).
Unit 3:
Modulo II: "Protezione internazionale" (6 CFU)
The module aims to provide students with tools and knowledge on refugee law and human rights protection. The module will illustrate the rules that protect foreigners against violations of fundamental rights following expulsion to third countries. Particular emphasis will be given to international and European standards for the protection of asylum seekers and refugees. The complementary forms of protection existing in European Union law and in the European Convention on Human Rights, as interpreted by the European Court of Human Rights, will also be illustrated.
Prerequisites for admission
Students are required to have basic knowledge of international law. Please refer to any updated textbook (e.g., Klabbers, International Law, CUP, 2018).
Teaching methods
Lectures; group works.
Teaching Resources
Units 1 and 2:
- Attending students: Lecture notes and any other teaching materials indicated on the Ariel page of the course.
- Non-attending students: Salerno e Annoni, La tutela internazionale della persona umana nei conflitti armati, 2019, Chapters 1-7, 9-14 and 16. Should a new edition be available before or during the course, relevant information will be published on the Ariel webpage of the course and students will have the chance to choose either the 2019 or the new edition.
Unit 3:
- Materials for attending students will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
- Non-attending students materials: A. DEL GUERCIO, La protezione internazionale dei richiedenti asilo nel diritto internazionale ed europeo, Editoriale Scientifica, 2016: pp. 15-54, 120-143, 147-167, 186-227, 242-274, 293-383, 401-426.
- Attending students: Lecture notes and any other teaching materials indicated on the Ariel page of the course.
- Non-attending students: Salerno e Annoni, La tutela internazionale della persona umana nei conflitti armati, 2019, Chapters 1-7, 9-14 and 16. Should a new edition be available before or during the course, relevant information will be published on the Ariel webpage of the course and students will have the chance to choose either the 2019 or the new edition.
Unit 3:
- Materials for attending students will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
- Non-attending students materials: A. DEL GUERCIO, La protezione internazionale dei richiedenti asilo nel diritto internazionale ed europeo, Editoriale Scientifica, 2016: pp. 15-54, 120-143, 147-167, 186-227, 242-274, 293-383, 401-426.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist in an oral interview.
ATTENDING STUDENTS (9 credits) have the possibility to take one or two written intermediate exams:
- the first intermediate exam (multiple choice questions and one open-ended question) on Units 1 and 2 (weight 2/3 of the final grade);
- the second intermediate exam (two open-ended questions) on Unit 3.
The final grade for students taking both intermediate exams will consist in the weighted average of the grades obtained in the first and the second intermediate exam. Students may decline to accept the grade obtained in either one of the intermediate exams or both (thus declining the final grade). In this case, they will have to take the final oral exam in one of the ordinary sessions on either the whole programme or the parts thereof that were covered by the intermediate exam whose grade they declined.
ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 credits) have the possibility to take a final written exam on Units 1 and 2 (identical to the intermediate exam available to attending students (9 credits)). They will have the chance to decline to accept the grade obtained by taking this written exam and take the oral one instead (in one of the ordinary sessions).
ATTENDING STUDENTS (9 credits) have the possibility to take one or two written intermediate exams:
- the first intermediate exam (multiple choice questions and one open-ended question) on Units 1 and 2 (weight 2/3 of the final grade);
- the second intermediate exam (two open-ended questions) on Unit 3.
The final grade for students taking both intermediate exams will consist in the weighted average of the grades obtained in the first and the second intermediate exam. Students may decline to accept the grade obtained in either one of the intermediate exams or both (thus declining the final grade). In this case, they will have to take the final oral exam in one of the ordinary sessions on either the whole programme or the parts thereof that were covered by the intermediate exam whose grade they declined.
ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 credits) have the possibility to take a final written exam on Units 1 and 2 (identical to the intermediate exam available to attending students (9 credits)). They will have the chance to decline to accept the grade obtained by taking this written exam and take the oral one instead (in one of the ordinary sessions).
IUS/13 - INTERNATIONAL LAW - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Favuzza Federica, Ponti Christian
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Please send an email to arrange a meeting.
Reception:
Tuesday (from 15 to 18)
Remotely on Teams (code8hf9dnz); by appointment via e-mail