DROI1327-1 : Introduction to the laws of war

Study Programmes 2016-2017

DROI1327-1

Introduction to the laws of war

Introduction to the laws of war
English language supplement

Duration :

Introduction to the laws of war : 15h Th
English language supplement : 15h AUTR

Number of credits :

Bachelor in law		3

Lecturer :

Introduction to the laws of war : Christophe Deprez
English language supplement : Frédéric Depas, Pierre Geron, Caroline Hougardy, ISLV, Estelle Oger, Victoria Purchon

Coordinator :

Antoinette Gosselin

Language(s) of instruction :

English language

Organisation and examination :

Teaching in the second semester

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents :

The course is taught in English and is organized in two parts :
- in the first part, the course will focus on the legal discipline; it will be taught by a law professor, in English;
- in the second part, language support is offered by a linguist (operating with the ISLV), in close contact with the relevant law professor

Introduction to the laws of war

Although, at first glance, war and law may be viewed as distinct or even contradictory phenomena, on a closer look it appears that many fields of international law contribute to governing situations of armed conflict. This course aims to map out these fields, and to give students an overview of the main principles under each of them. Of particular interest will be the key mechanisms of the prohibition of the use of force (jus ad bellum), of international humanitarian law (jus in bello), of international human rights law, of international refugee law, of the law of international responsibility, and of international criminal law.

English language supplement

This supplementary English module aims at making it easier for students to deal with the language of law classes taught in English.
It focuses mainly on active skills such as speaking and writing in areas covered by law classes taught in English, and on vocabulary relevant to those classes.
Students will also study various language functions that are typical in a legal and academic context in order to improve oral interactions in the classroom, oral presentations, summing up texts, expressing the opinion of another or expressing one's opinion, or drafting and presenting case briefs.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit :

Introduction to the laws of war

Upon completion of this course, students should be familiar with the role of the law (and, in particular, of international law) before, during, and after an armed conflict.

English language supplement

At the end of this class, students will have improved their legal English skills in an academic environment.
Students will be better at using English during law classes. They will be better prepared to deal with the language of law classes taught in English.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills :

The course follows and builfs upon the course of "foreign language in a legal context", which is part of the programm of the first and the second holder of bachelor in law

Planned learning activities and teaching methods :

English language supplement

This language module is not optional and regular attendance as well as active participation is strictly necessary.

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :

Introduction to the laws of war

Lectures will be the basis of this course (although active student participation will be encouraged). Each lecture will come with a Powerpoint presentation. Furthermore, e-learning material will be made available to help students fully understand the course (this material may take the form of video clips coming back to key segments of the lectures, or of online tests for students to assess their own command of the several topics).

English language supplement

This in-class course consists of ten 90-minute sessions.