JUS5730 – International Humanitarian Law (The Law of Armed Conflict)
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 law is addressed, these latter subjects are covered in specific courses offered by the Faculty. The course’s main focus remains on which legal rules apply when there is an armed conflict (jus in bello), whether that is of an international or of a non-international nature. Using a case-based approach students are engaged in the discussion of specific scenarios that resemble or typically are real-world examples.
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 Master 's level. The subject is also taught at Bachelor's level (10 ECTS credits), see JUR1730 – International Humanitarian Law (BA).?
Learning outcome
See learning outcome for JUS5730
Admission to the course
You may register for this course if you have admission to a Master’s programme at UiO or the faculty's exchange programme and meet the formal prerequisites.?
Have you met the formal prerequisites at another institution than the University of Oslo, and the results are not formally registered at UiO, you must apply for admission to courses at Master’s level (information in Norwegian only). Students with admission to Master’s degree programmes at other faculties than The Faculty of Law must also apply for admission.?
All students are required to meet the formal prerequisites.?
When your admission is in order you must register for courses in StudentWeb.?
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must fill one of these requirements:
- Passed 1st - 3rd year of the 5-years degree Master of Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap at UiO) (or exams that qualify for exemption for these) or
- Hold a 5-years Master’s degree in Laws (Master i rettsvitenskap at UiO) or equivalent.
Exemptions from the formal prerequisites will be given to students with admission to the faculty`s own exchange or master’s degree programmes. This rule does not apply to students with admission to other master’s degree programmes at the University of Oslo, unless otherwise agreed.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with JUR5730 – International Humanitarian Law (The Law of Armed Conflict) (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with JUR1730 – International Humanitarian Law (BA).
- 10 credits overlap with VALKRIG – Krigens folkerett/internasjonal humanit?rrett (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with JUXKRIG – Krigens folkerett / internasjonal humanit?rrett (discontinued).
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 examination.
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.