Vår 2025

JUR-3620 International law and armed conflict - 15 stp

The course is administrated by

Det juridiske fakultet

Type of course

International law and armed conflict is a course at master degree level.

Students on the integrated master's programme in law may choose this course as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the elective part of the programme's fifth year, cf. Programme Specification for the Master's Degree in Jurisprudence at the University of Tromsø, Sec. 4

Followed by necessary application and admission process, other students on master level may also choose this course.

Course contents

The course addresses the prohibition on the use of force in international law and its exceptions (jus ad bellum/use of force), as well as the rules applicable to armed conflicts when they break out (jus in bello/international humanitarian law). The latter includes limitations on the weapons and methods used and establishes protection against attacks on certain groups of individuals, like prisoners of war and civilians. The course will address both international customary law and treaty obligations in these fields, with main focus on the United Nations Charter, the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols of 1977.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree of at least 180 ECTS credits, comprising or in combination with at least 80 ECTS credits in either law or social/political science.

Admitted students should have basic knowledge of public international law.

Students on the Integrated master´s degree programme in law may choose this course as a partial fulfilment of the requirements for the elective part of the programme's fifth year, cf. Programme Specification for the Master's Degree in Jurisprudence at the University of Tromsø (Studieplan for graden Master i rettsvitenskap ved Universitetet i Tromsø). Students on the Integrated master´s degree programme in law may only commence with the fifth year of the programme after they have passed the third year of the programme, cf. Regulation § 6 No. 3.

For information about the application process, please visit the web-pages of the UiT Admissions office.

Objective of the course

Knowledge

Having passed the exam, the student has:

Advanced knowledge of the sources of international law and its methodology
Advanced knowledge of the prohibition on the use of armed force
Advanced knowledge of the right to selfdefence
Advanced knowledge of the United Nations Security Councils right to authorize the use of armed force
Advanced knowledge of the general principles of international humanitarian law
Advanced knowledge of the definition of combatant and their treatment
Advanced knowledge of the rules regarding general protection of persons and property against the consequences of an armed conflict
Advanced knowledge of certain kinds of civilian property granted enhanced protection
Advanced knowledge of the methods and means of combat
Advanced knowledge of the relationship of international humanitarian law to international human rights law
Good knowledge of the right to use armed force by invitation of a host state
Good knowledge of the different types of armed conflicts and the geographical area where military operations may be undertaken
Knowledge of the history of the law on the use of force and international humanitarian law
Knowledge of the disputed legality of humanitarian intervention and authorization by other authorities than the United Nations Security Council
Knowledge of the rules protecting the environment in armed conflicts
Knowledge of the application of international humanitarian law to international peace support operations
Knowledge of the enforcement of international humanitarian law

Skills

Having passed the exam, the student is able to:

identify and analyze legal problems of both theoretical and practical character regarding international law on armed conflicts
apply his/her knowledge of international legal methodology in a critical and independent way
identify and discuss de lege ferenda some of the most controversial topics within the fields of law covered
use English terminology applicable to this field of law

General competence

After passing the specialization, the student can:

- Apply the obtained knowledge and skills in the field of the international law of armed conflict individually and in cooperation with others

- Communicate reasoning within the field of the international law of armed conflict in a clear and precise manner, orally and in writing to the academic community and the general public

- Apply knowledge and skills acquired within the law of international law of armed conflict to other fields of international law, tasks and projects, where relevant

- Identify and reflect on ethical dilemmas that work with issues of relevance to the international law of armed conflict can lead to, and deal with these in a responsible manner

Language of instruction

All teaching will be held in English and the exam must be written in English.

Teaching methods

The teaching consists of a combination of lectures and seminars, comprising a total of 30 hours. The students are expected to be prepared and active during both lectures and seminars in discussing legal approaches to the issues at hand. Student participation is sought through discussions, voluntary case/case law presentations and participation in two moot courts at the end of the main sections of the course. Some of the lectures or seminars may be held by external guest speakers. The classes will be sought spread throughout the semester. Students are expected to study independently in periods of no seminars or lectures.