Public International Law with Human Rights, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and comprehension
After the course is completed the student has capacity to:

• reflect on Public International Law (PIL) as a system, its purpose and function, components and premises,
• describe and problematize the core parts of PIL, such as the sources of law, law of treaties, especially interpretation, and responsibility for breaches of PIL, recent legal developments in those areas, as well be familiar with various methods in Public International Law,
• identify the interrelationship between various parts of international law and human rights, and
• present and apply the norms and structures of a few selected areas of international law, such as the law of territory and natural resources, and international criminal law.

Ability and capacity
After the course is completed the student is able to:

• locate the sources of international law and construct legal arguments,
• identify and analyse issues of international law in specific situations and apply legal norms in these cases, and
• argue convincingly orally and in writing.

Valuation and perspective
After the course is completed the student is able to:

• apply a critical approach to international legal argumentation and examine different perspectives on PIL.

Content

The course examines and analyses the system of international law, its basis and components, as well as the relationship and tensions within various areas of international law. During the course methods and sources of international law and perspectives on the system are explored. The special character of human rights as part of international law is examined throughout the course. The student also probes concrete issues in a number of areas within PIL, such as the law of treaties, responsibility of states, international criminal law, and other selected areas.

Examinations and grades

Law of Treaties, 4.5 credits (Code: A020)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Human Rights, 2 credits (Code: A021)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

International Criminal Law, 2 credits (Code: A022)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Legal Analysis, 6.5 credits (Code: A023)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

The results from the seminars are added to form the final course grade.

For the grade E (Sufficient), all examinations must have received a passing grade.

For the grade D (Satisfactory), in addition to the requirement that all examinations must have received at a minimum the grade E, at least two of the examinations A020, A021, A022 och A023 must have received the grade C, with one of them being A020 or A023.

For the grade C (Good), in addition to the requirement that all examinations must have received at a minimum the grade E, at least three of the examinations A020, A021, A022 och A023 must have received the grade C, with one of them being A020 or A023.

For the grade B (Very Good), in addition to the requirement that all examinations must have received at a minimum the grade E, at least two of the examinations A020, A021, A022 och A023 must have received the grade B, with one of them being A020 or A023.

For the grade A (Excellent), in addition to the requirement that all examinations must have received at a minimum the grade E, at least three of the examinations A020, A021, A022 och A023 must have received the grade A, with one of them being A020 or A023.

Modes of assessment

Law of Treaties, 4,5 credits (Code: A020)
Written and oral assignment.
If a student does not receive a passing grade, but is deemed to be close to achieving it, the student can do a completion of the paper in line with the examiner’s given instructions. The completion shall be handed in no later than seven days from when the instructions were given.

Human Rights, 2 credits (Code: A021)
Written and oral assignment (group work).
Re-examination takes place during the next course cycle unless there are conditions in the form of other students who have not yet passed the seminar to examine the seminar at an earlier date.

International Criminal Law, 2 credits (Code: A022)
Written and oral assignment (group work).
Re-examination takes place during the next course cycle unless there are conditions in the form of other students who have not yet passed the seminar to examine the seminar at an earlier date.

Legal Analysis, 6.5 credits (Code: A023)
Written and oral assignment.
If a student does not receive a passing grade, but is deemed to be close to achieving it, the student can do a completion of the paper in line with the examiner’s given instructions. The completion shall be handed in no later than seven days from when the instructions were given. Re-examination of the oral presentation and discussion take place during the next course cycle unless there are conditions in the form of other students who have not yet passed the seminar to examine the seminar at an earlier date.

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

180 credits at the first level of which 90 credits with increasing depth within law, including 5 credits in Public International Law. Alternatively, 180 credits at the first level in a Law Programme. Additional requirements: English Course 6/English Course B.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is given in English. Some literature and seminar materials are in Swedish.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required Reading

Wouters, Ryngaert, Ryus, De Baere (latest ed.)
International Law: A European Perspective
Hart, Oxford, 1038 pages

Additions and Comments on the Reading List
Relevant articles and materials of approximately 750 pages for the seminars will be listed on Bb Learn at the beginning of the course.