JUR1730 – International Humanitarian Law (BA)
Course description
Course content
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or the law of armed conflict (LOAC) aims at reducing the disastrous effects of armed conflicts by regulating the means and methods of warfare and by establishing relevant legal protections not only for civilians and for non-combatants more generally, but also for combatants. The course provides important insights on several key aspects of IHL, including its historical development, legal sources, types of armed conflict, means and methods of waging war, protection of civilians and civilian objects, protection of cultural heritage and of the environment, international peace operations, implementation and responsibility for serious IHL violations, the relationship with other branches of public international law, and some of the current challenges IHL faces.
The main legal basis for IHL is composed of the four 1949 Geneva Conventions with their two additional protocols of 1977 and the third additional protocol of 2005, The Hague Regulations of 1907, rules of customary international law, and fundamental principles of IHL. In addition, there are several specific treaties trying to regulate or ban various types of weapons, including biological and chemical weapons, cluster munitions, and nuclear weapons.
While IHL’s relationship with other branches of public international law, especially the rules on the use of force (jus ad or contra bellum), international human rights law, and international criminal law are discussed, they cannot be addressed in minute detail in this course. The main focus remains on which legal rules apply when there is an armed conflict (jus in bello), whether that is an international armed conflict or a non-international armed conflict.
For students enrolled in Rettsvitenskap (jus) (master): Have you considered a specialization as part of your degree? The course is part of the profile Internasjonal rett og menneskerettigheter.
This subject is taught at Bachelor's level. The subject is also taught at Master's level (10 ECTS credits), see JUS5730 – International Humanitarian Law (The Law of Armed Conflict).?
Learning outcome
See learning outcome for JUR1730
Admission to the course
You may register for this course if you have admission to a study programme at UiO or the faculty's exchange programme.??
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.?
Nordic applicants can apply for admission to Single courses on Bachelor's level.?
When your admission is in order you must register for courses in StudentWeb.?
Recommended previous knowledge
Please note that lectures and curriculum for this course is aimed at students at master degree level. However, the learning outcome is adjusted for students who take the subject at bachelor degree level.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with VALKRIG – Krigens folkerett/internasjonal humanit?rrett (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with JUXKRIG – Krigens folkerett / internasjonal humanit?rrett (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with JUR5730 – International Humanitarian Law (The Law of Armed Conflict) (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with JUS5730 – International Humanitarian Law (The Law of Armed Conflict).
Teaching
Lectures/seminars.
Language of teaching for this course is English. This means that all?communication during lectures/seminars will be in English, and all?literature and materials are in English.
Examination
Students are graded on the basis of a 4 hour written open book digital school exam.
The candidates will take the exam on a PC and the submission is digital in Inspera Read about School exams in Inspera
You must familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to exam support materials, and the use of sources and citations.
Examination support material
This is an open book digital school examination. You are permitted to use any materials written on paper during the examination. This includes books, lecture materials and your own notes, whether handwritten or printed. There are no restrictions on marking up or highlighting these written materials. Printouts/notes from Lovdata are allowed.
No electronic support materials are allowed. Lovdata Pro will be closed for all students during the 4 hour school exam.
Rules for citation are crucial for determining whether the use of exam resources is legal.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
This guide is used by examiners for grading elective courses at the Faculty of Law.
Resit an examination
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Resitting an examination.
- There are special rules for resitting a passed examination in the master`s programme in Law.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.