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LouvainX: Louv16x International Humanitarian Law

WELCOME TO THE COURSE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW!

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The learning objectives are the following: At the end of this course, you should be able to

    • decode and analyze in depth complex legal issues related to armed conflicts;
    • understand the philosophy and logic underlying International Humanitarian Law norms;
    • be able to propose constructive solutions in light of the evolution of the nature of armed conflicts and the legal norms applicable to them.

PREREQUISITES

This is an advanced level course. Familiarity with legal concepts and legal language is strongly recommended.

WORKLOAD

Students are expected to spend roughly six to eight hours a week watching the videos, reading the materials, responding to the problems and exercises and participating actively in the forums. As mentioned above, for those with little familiarity with legal concepts and language, additional time commitment may be required.

GRADING POLICY

There are 3 types of graded tasks:

  1. Active Participation (AP) = 30% of the final grade 
    These are short questions (mostly MCQ) that will help you testing your understanding of new, specific concepts.
  2. Group Tests (GT) = 35% of the final grade
    These are more complex questionnaire or assignment at the end of a group of chapters (1+2 / 3+4+5 / 6+7)
  3. Final Exam (FE) = 35% of the final grade
    >> if you want to upgrade from audit track to verified track, you must do it BEFORE taking the final exam.

You pass the course when you have a final grade of 60%.

All graded activities must be completed before the end of the course, on June 20, 23:00 (UTC). 

VERIFIED CERTIFICATE AND MICROMASTERS

The Humanitarian International Law course includes both participants who are only auditing the course (AUDIT track) and participants who will request a Verified Certificate (VC track). If you wish to have your course work validated for the International Law MicroMasters, you must upgrade to a Verified Certificate BEFORE taking the final exam.

You'll find more information about the Certificate and the MicroMasters on the dedicated page.

If you need a Verified Certificate but cannot afford the full price, please note that edX may be able to provide financial assistance under certain conditions. If you are eligible for financial assistance, the fee for the verified certificate will be discounted by 90%. For more on financial assistance, please consult this FAQ.

COURSE STRUCTURE 

As you will see, the course is divided in 7 chapters (delivered on a weekly basis): 

  • Chapter 1 - Introduction (by Raphaël): introductory remarks about International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including the philosophical paradoxes which arise from a law which regulates armed conflicts, a brief history of that Law and its relations with other branches of International Law.
  • Chapter 2 - Sources and subjects (by Raphaël): analysis of the sources (treaty, custom and jus cogens) as well as subjects (States, international organizations and armed groups) of IHL.
  • Chapter 3 - Scope of application (by Raphaël and Jérôme): qualification of situations of violence as armed conflicts and analysis of the temporal and geographical scope of application of IHL.
  • Chapter 4 - Protection of persons (by Jérôme): analysis of the rules regulating the protection of persons in time of war, notably the wounded and sick people, the captured combatants and the civilians, including in time of occupation.
  • Chapter 5 - Conduct of hostilities (by Raphaël): analysis of the rules regulating the conduct of hostilities, including the prohibitions to target persons and objects, the prohibitions to use weapons and methods of warfare and the obligation of precaution.
  • Chapter 6 - Implementation and enforcement (Part I) (by Raphaël): introductory remarks on the general means of implementing and enforcing IHL and analysis of State responsibility mechanisms in case of violations of that law. 
  • Chapter 7 -  Implementation and enforcement (Part II) (by Jérôme): analysis of the issue of individual criminal responsibility, in particular national/international/hybrid mechanisms for the punishing of individuals responsible of war crimes.

Although all these chapters are distinct, some deal with a similar type of issues:

  • Chapters 1 and 2 examine general issues (the first group of chapters);
  • Chapters 3 to 5 deal with issues specifically regulated by IHL (the second group of chapters);
  • Chapters 6 and 7 concern the implementation and enforcement of IHL (the third group of chapters).

The organization of the course around these groups has two consequences. Firstly, this explains why the course contains three intermediate assignments before the final exam. You will have one assignment after each of the above-mentioned group of chapters. Secondly, you will also have a break of one week after each group is finished. This will enable you to complete the intermediate assignments.

Please note that additional weeks will be provided at the end of the course in order for you to have enough time to complete the final exam, which will be delivered at the same time as the last chapter of the course.

SCHEDULE

SECTIONS

RELEASE

DUE DATE
Welcome!

March 21

  
Chapter 1 - Introduction to International Humanitarian Law

March 21
Chapter 2 - Sources and subjects March 28  
Intermediate Assignment I March 28

June 20
Chapter 3 - Scope of application April 11  
Chapter 4 - Protection of the prisoners of war, civilians and the wounded and sick

April 18
Chapter 5 - The conduct of hostilities April 25
Intermediate Assignment II May 2 June 20
Chapter 6 - Implementation and enforcement of IHL - Part I May 9
Chapter 7 - Implementation and enforcement of IHL - Part II

May 16

This is also the deadline to choose the Verified certificate if you want to!

  
Intermediate Assignment III

May 23

Step 1 (upload your answer): June 6
Step 2 (grade 3 copies): June 20
Final Assignment May 30

June 20
Live Session

To be determined

MATERIALS

We put a hyperlink for most of the treaty provisions mentioned in the MOOC. This enables you to have direct acces to that provision. However, do not hesitate to go on the ICRC website page, which contains all the relevant provisions in relation to international humanitarian law. This is a very precious database for the MOOC.

TO GO FURTHER

There are excellent textbooks on International Humanitarian Law and this MOOC does not pretend to replace a good read. You are therefore warmly encouraged to deepen your knowledge and understanding of international humanitarian law by resorting to an accessible textbook on the subject. However, you do not need to purchase any book for the purpose of completing this MOOC. The only readings you will need to do are those to be found on the course pages. 

However, should you wish to read further on the subject, we recommend the following texts:

Furthermore, do not hesitate to go on the ICRC website and, in particular, to look at the International Review of the Red Cross, which publishes interesting papers on a wide range of issues pertaining to international humanitarian law.