School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Knowledge and comprehension
After the course is completed the student should have an understanding of Public International Law (PIL) as a system; its purpose and function, components and premises. The student should have insights into the core parts of PIL, such as the sources of law, law of treaties, especially interpretation, and responsibility at breaches of PIL. The student should understand the interrelationship between various parts of international law and human rights, be able to describe different methods of PIL, and have insight into international organisations and connected mechanisms as parts of the system of international law. The student should be familiar with the norms and structures of a few select areas of international law, such as the law of territory and natural resources, and the protection of human rights.

Ability and capacity
After the course is completed the student should be able to locate the sources of international law and construct legal arguments. The student should also be able to identify and analyse issues of international law in specific situations and apply legal norms in these cases.

Valuation and perspective
At the end of the course the student should have a critical approach to international legal argumentation and be able to identify and characterise premises within the arguments. The student should have an historical perspective on the development of norms of PIL. The student should also be able to evaluate the development and application of norms of international law.

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 a number of methods of international law, as well as interpretation, will be examined. The student will focus on a number of areas within PIL, such as the law of treaties, the responsibility of states and of international organizations, peaceful settlement of disputes, the law of territory and natural resources, as well as human rights.

The methods of study are lectures, seminars, group exercises influenced by problem based methodology, as well as individual study. Participation in seminars and group exercises is compulsory.

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.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

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 prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

The results from the seminars and presentations are added together to form the final course grade. The student can be given a maximum of 100 points during the course. The grade G requires 50 points. The grade VG requires 80 points.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

180 credits at the first level of which 90 credits with increasing depth within law, or successful completion of the first level, 180 credits, within the Law Programme. Additional requirements: English Course B/English Course 6.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

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

The results from the seminars and presentations are added together to form the final course grade. The student can be given a maximum of 100 points during the course. The grade Pass (G) requires 50 points. The grade Pass with distinction (VG) requires 80 points.


Transitional Provisions

For a course that has been cancelled or significantly changed in content or scope, there may be examinations on three occasions within 12 to 18 months after the changes have been made.

Required Reading

Relevant articles and materials of approximately 750 pages for the seminars will be listed on Blackboard at the beginning of the course./
Relevanta artiklar omfattande ca 750 sidor för seminarierna anges i början av kursen på Blackboard.

Foreign exchange students will read:

Neitzel, S. & Welzer, H.,(2013) Soldaten: On Fighting, Killing, and Dying Simon & Schuster Ltd, 448 pages instead of
Welzer, Harald (latest ed.) Gärningsmän: Hur helt vanliga människor blir massmördare Bokförlaget Daidalos, Göteborg, 311 pages

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