Postgraduate Module Descriptor


LAWM114: Post-Conflict Governance, Rule of Law and Justice

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level7
Credits30 ECTS Value15
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 2 (10 weeks) and term 3 (1 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Agnieszka Jachec-Neale (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

This module focuses on the practical dimension of the rule of law, security and justice in post-crisis/post-conflict societies and during periods of transitions from conflict. The module is rooted in the unique practical experience of the module convenor, who for many years has worked with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. From securing safe passage for children attending local schools in Kosovo’s little villages to ensuring that war crimes trials in Croatia are handled fairly, the topics will engage you in a discussion about the realities of human rights protection and justice in transitional societies. The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law and effective governance are seen as fundamental means to achieving durable peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of conflict and during early recovery. Promotion of human rights standards and sustained economic progress equally contribute to the stabilisation of previously volatile states. The content of the course encompasses the cross-cutting issues of security and military operations and civil aspects of the local and central governance and civil society organisations’ work. It is structured around four interconnected pillars of stability operations namely: security, justice and reconciliation, governance and economic stabilization. It also addresses specific issues including the protection of minorities and the role of international organisations in stabilisation and development of post-conflict states.

Prior exposure to public international law is recommended, but is not absolutely essential for the study of this module. Students who have not studied public international law in the past are advised to undertake additional introductory reading and will be offered specific guidance. The module is designed to complement our other modules in this area. Teaching method for this module consist of weekly seminars requiring active participation and engagement by all students under the guidance of the module convenor.

Please note that students enrolled on this module are expected to participate in a simulation exercise as part of their formative assessment. Students who are enrolled on less than four modules qualifying for the LLM pathway in International Law, Conflict and Security may have to contribute up to 9 hours of their guided independent study time towards their participation in the simulation.

Module created

19/12/16

Last revised