Humanitarian Protection in Situations of Armed Conflict: Clinical Seminar
Fall term, Block I
Ms. Bonnie Docherty and Mr. Stephan Sonnenberg
2 classroom credits LAW-94742A Fall
2, 3, or 4 required clinical credits LAW-94742C Fall
Situations of armed conflict raise particular challenges for legal practitioners, rights advocates, and conflict resolution experts. This clinical seminar will focus on protections for civilians during and after armed conflict. After a brief review of relevant international humanitarian law and human rights law, the course will explore several methodologies that practitioners use to promote civilian protection standards, assessing both the promises and limitations of each strategy. The course will also introduce students to the practical and analytical skills they need to work in the field. This interdisciplinary course is offered jointly by the International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) and the Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program (HNMCP).
The seminar will consider a wide spectrum of humanitarian protection tools, including public shaming by field researchers, international and grassroots campaigning by civil society, livelihoods promotion strategies by humanitarian NGOs, and conflict management efforts by dispute resolution professionals. The seminar will also consider analytical tools that can be helpful in determining the most appropriate strategy for particular situations of armed conflict.
In addition to reading relevant literature and participating in class discussion, students will take part in role-playing exercises on fact-finding, media work, conflict analysis, and public briefing skills.
A concurrent clinical practice component is required of all students in the seminar. Placements are with the International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC) or up to three students may work with the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinic (Negotiation Workshop is a pre-requisite for students at the Negotiation and Mediation Clinic). Enrollment will occur during clinical registration. Please refer to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical) for clinical registration dates and early add/drop deadlines.