Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen
Online Program in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law
Giessen, Germany
DURATION
2 Weeks
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
EUR 900 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total Costs
Introduction
The application period for the Winter School 2024 is over (deadline was December 4th) but the program will take place next year again!!
Spend Your Winter Gaining Knowledge
The Faculty of Law at Justus Liebig University Giessen are looking forward to hosting students from all over the world for the 3rd International Online Winter University in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law. The International Winter University takes place from 4th of January until 13th of January 2024 and offers an in-depth approach to current challenges faced in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law in the Digital Age. Subjects that will be discussed in this context include: The Right to Privacy and Data Protection, Freedom of Expression and Social Media, Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems, Cyber Operations and Cyber Warfare, and more.
The program offers you a foundation in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law before discussing the major debates and challenges that are currently found in these fields of law. This will primarily focus on those issues that are present in both fields of law and consider how similar issues are approached differently. Allowing you to appreciate the differences between International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law and how both these fields of law, in different manners, seek to protect individuals.
The program combines high-quality teaching by excellent lecturers and practitioners from all over the world.
Credits
- ECTS
Non-US participants will be awarded 6 ECTS credits. The European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System [ECTS] is a student-centered system based on the workload required to achieve the objectives of a course. The organization's aim is to facilitate student mobility and therefore simplify the process of credit transfer. The system is based on the assumption that 60 credits equal the workload of a full-time student during one academic year. The student workload of a full-time study program in Europe approximately amounts to 40 weeks per year and in this case, one credit stands for 24 to 30 working hours. For more information on ECTS please visit the homepage of the European Union.
Please note: ECTS credits will only be awarded upon passing examinations.
The aim of the course is to help you
- develop a critical and analytical understanding of the background of current debates in international humanitarian law and international human rights law;
- develop a critical understanding of the difference between international humanitarian law and international human rights law by examining similar issues from both perspectives;
- enhance critical understanding of regulatory limits within a contemporary, fast-moving, and geopolitical context;
- strengthen a critical and enquiring mind capable of presenting theory-based arguments with coherent evidence about international human rights law and international humanitarian law; and
- enhance research skills and use of a wide range of primary and secondary materials, national and international law, soft law, and academic sources.
Stay Updated
Program Outcome
By the end of this course, you should be able to demonstrate:
- a critical knowledge and understanding of the fundamental doctrines, theories, key elements, general principles, and institutions that underpin current debates in international humanitarian law and international human rights law;
- a critical knowledge and understanding of legal concepts, values, general principles, rules, and terminology relevant to international humanitarian law and international human rights law;
- a critical knowledge and understanding of some key debates and challenges in the current discussion on international humanitarian law and international human rights law;
- the critical ability to apply knowledge, principles, and doctrine in order to construct arguments about complex legal problems based upon appropriate humanitarian law and human rights theories and accurate research;
- high-level use of primary and secondary sources to evidence legal doctrine and support legal arguments; and
- an ability to provide a critical and supported answer to a contemporary business and human rights question in an assessment environment, in suitable academic form, and to a high standard of English.
Curriculum
First week: Introduction to International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law
| Time | Thursday January 4 | Friday January 5 | Saturday January 6 |
|
3pm – 4.30pm (Berlin) / 8.00am – 9.30am (Wisconsin) |
Opening Ceremony | The Sources of International Humanitarian Law: Treaties and Beyond |
Core Principles of International Humanitarian Law
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5pm – 6.30pm (Berlin) / 10.00am – 11.30am (Wisconsin) |
Introduction to International Humanitarian Law | The Sources of International Human Rights Law: Treaties and Beyond | Introducing Civil and Political Rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights |
|
7pm– 8.30pm (Berlin) / 12.00 – 1.30pm (Wisconsin) | Introduction to International Human Rights Law |
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Second week: International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in the Digital Age
| Time | Monday January 8 | Tuesday January 9 | Wednesday January 10 | Thursday January 11 | Friday January 12 | Saturday January 13 |
|
3pm -4.30pm (Berlin) / 8.00am – 9.30am (Wisconsin) |
New and Emerging Technologies and Humanitarian Law: Challenges and Opportunities |
Use of AI and Machine Learning in Armed Conflict |
Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
|
Digital Technologies In Fact-Finding and Evidence Collection |
Cyber Operations and Cyber Warfare |
Use of AI and Machine Learning in Humanitarian Action
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|
5pm – 6.30pm (Berlin) / 10.00am – 11.30am (Wisconsin) |
New and Emerging Technologies and Human Rights Law: Challenges and Opportunities
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The Right to Privacy and Data Protection |
Freedom of Expression and Social Media |
Technology and Access to Justice
|
Big Data in Decision Making and Human Rights Applications |
Biometric Technologies in Law Enforcement
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7pm– 8.30pm (Berlin) / 12.00 – 1.30pm (Wisconsin)
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Closing Ceremony |
The Course offers an in-depth approach to current challenges faced in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law with special focus on issues and opportunities caused by new and emerging technologies. The first week of the program offers students a foundation in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian before discussing specific technology-related topics that are relevant to the fields of International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law during the second week of the program. The chosen approach allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of discussions relevant to Humanitarian and Human Rights Law, and to consider interactions between these fields of law in order to understand how they approach specific issues and what kind of approaches, developments, and issues are present within these fields.
Reading and preparation
All of the materials cited in this course will be available in digital form. Links will be included in each citation where available. Students are expected to actively participate in the lectures, and therefore it is necessary for students to prepare for the lectures by reading the provided materials.
Assessment
The final examination will be a take-home exam taking place after the program, on Sunday, January 14, and Monday, January 15. After the exam questions have been published, the students are allowed to use as much time as needed for the exam and need to submit it by the set deadline. To pass the exam, the students need to show their comprehension of the taught material by answering questions in essay form. Further details will be issued during the course.
Attendance policy
Students are required to participate in all lectures, with absences generally not being allowed. Exceptions to this rule can be made due to exceptional circumstances. If the students do not excuse an absence beforehand, they are not allowed to write the final exam and will therefore be unable to receive academic credits.
Credits and grading scale
Upon successful completion, 6 ECTS will be awarded for the class. According to the rules of ECTS, one credit is equivalent to 25-30 hours of student workload.
The exams will be graded within three weeks after the end of the program and in addition to the ECTS, the students will receive a certificate of participation.
GRADING SCALE
| Percentage | Grade | Description |
|
85-100% | 18 |
very good: an outstanding achievement |
| 17 | ||
| 16 | ||
| 15 | ||
| 14 | ||
|
75-85% | 13 | good: an achievement substantially above average requirement |
| 12 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 10 | ||
|
65-75% | 9 | satisfactory: an achievement which corresponds to average |
| 8 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 6 | ||
|
60-65% | 5 | sufficient: an achievement which barely meets the requirements |
| 4 | ||
|
0-60% | <4 | not sufficient / failed: an achievement which does not meet the |
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships
There might be the possibility to offer partial scholarships for Students, who want to participate in the International Winter University.
How to apply for a scholarship?
If you state that you wish to apply for financial subsidies in our Application Form, you need to attach the following additional documents to your application:
- One letter of reference from one of your lecturers (written in the English language)
- A thorough letter of motivation including your reasons to apply for the course and stating your personal financial neediness.
- Transcripts of Records showing us your academic achievements (optional)
- A certificate of your proficiency in the English language (for non-native speakers)
What do we take into consideration?
- Individual students’ motivation for their participation in our International Winter University
- Students’ academic excellence
- Students’ financial needs
- Diversity in the composition of the Winter University group
What is covered by a scholarship?
A scholarship will partially reduce the total fee. The sum is set individually since it depends on the individual application and the available funds, which vary yearly. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide scholarships, which waive the complete program fee.