This course will introduce students to the laws of war, which includes legal principles on the use of force (jus ad bellum) and the conduct of armed hostilities (jus in bello). Students will also learn aspects of military law and consider the role of a defence force in the national security landscape and in society more generally. The course also explores the relationship between international security and national security, as well as intersections with international and domestic human rights law. Students will be able to identify the sources and institutions of international law and engage with sub-topics relevant to war such as the law of state responsibility, the laws of armed conflict (also known as international humanitarian law), the law of the sea, space law, and human rights law including laws relating to freedom of expression, movement, fair trials, and free press. Prior legal training is not required.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legal principles of the use of force and the laws of armed conflict.
- Display an advanced understanding of the foundational principles of the international legal system, includes sources and institutions.
- Develop and communicate ideas, analysis, and argument related to the relationship between national security and international law.
- Understand, analyse, and communicate the relevance of a defence force to national security and the role of the military in society.
- Assess and identify the relevance of human rights law to national security.
Indicative Assessment
- Class participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Online quiz (20) [LO 1,2,3]
- Oral presentation of research essay (15 minutes + 15 minutes of questions and answers) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research essay (3,000 words) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study.
Prescribed Texts
None.
Preliminary Reading
Reading material specific to each topic will be provided on a weekly basis. Reading materials might include:
- Gary Solis, The Laws of Armed Conflict and Peacekeeping (Cambridge University Press, 2021)
- Danielle Ireland-Piper, National Security Law in Australia (Federation Press, 2024)
- Michael Head, Calling out the Troops: The Australian Military and Civil Unrest, the Legal and Constitutional Issues (The Federation Press, 2009).
- Geneva Conventions < https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions >.
- Articles on State Responsibility for Internationally Wrongful Act < https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/draft_articles/9_6_2001.pdf >.
- Outer Space Treaty < https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/spacelaw/treaties/introouterspacetreaty.html >.
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: < https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-civil-and-political-rights
- International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/international-covenant-economic-social-and-cultural-rights
- Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011 (Cth).
- Defence Act 1903 (Cth)
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On campus | ||||||
| 5348 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| Online | ||||||
| 5349 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | Online | N/A |