Programme syllabus Master´s programme in International Operational Law

The programme is a one-year Master’s programme (60 credits) in international operational law.

International operational law is the science of international law that pertains to the actions of armed forces and other actors in armed conflict and other crises. The programme covers the following broad areas of law:

• the law governing the use of force by states and other actors;

• international humanitarian law (the law of armed conflict);

• human rights in armed conflict and other crises;

• the law of international responsibility of states, individuals and other actors;

• the law of peace operations

The programme addresses the legal room to manoeuvre available to states and other actors in the areas of defence, crisis management and security in armed conflict and during crises as well as in peacetime.

The programme combines the in-depth study of the conceptual foundations of international operational law with practice-informed and applied perspectives. The practice-informed and applied approach manifests itself in the inclusion of exercises, applexes and gaming throughout the program. In addition, qualified practitioners from governmental authorities and international organisations – in the form of adjunct and visiting professors and guest lecturers – contribute to the programme’s close ties to the practical application of operational law in an international context.

During the first semester of the programme, a number of compulsory courses are offered in order to lay a foundation at the Master’s level in the field international operational law. Amongst the compulsory courses is a course on a selected operational law issue, which is taught on a rotating annual basis by a specially invited professor who conducts research on a topical subject area that is current and relevant to the programme.

The second semester begins with a number of elective courses. The majority of these elective courses offer in-depth studies into specific operational legal issues that arise in different military operations, such as military planning methods; various types of antagonistic threats; crises and disasters; and developments in military technology. These courses provide students with the opportunity to delve deeper into the substantive law and practical application of international operational law. Other elective courses allow a broadening towards other subjects, such as war studies, leadership or political science. The latter courses are conducted by, or in cooperation with, the Master’s programmes (60 credits or 120 credits) offered at the Swedish Defence University in the respective scientific disciplines.

The second semester ends with a 15-credit course in which the students complete their master thesis.

Due to its international character, the programme is offered in English.

The programme consists of a number of compulsory courses as well as two elective courses selected by the student. The compulsory courses of the programme total 45 credits, and the two elective courses total 15 credits. The courses are normally offered once a year as per the below schedule:

Autumn semester (30 credits)
• Advanced Law of Armed Conflict, 5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• Human Rights in Crisis and Conflict, 5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• International Criminal Law, 5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• International Law and the Use of Force, 5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• International Operational Law and Peace Operations, 5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• International Operational Law – Capita Selecta, 5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

Spring semester (30 credits)
• Elective courses, 2 x 7.5 credits (see below)

• Master's Thesis – International Operational Law, 15 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

The following are examples of elective courses offered within the programme. The elective courses may vary, and may be limited depending on students’ priorities.

• International Operational Law in Operational Planning, 7.5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• International Operational Law on Hybrid Warfare and Terrorism, 7.5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• International Disaster Law, 7.5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

• War, Law and Emerging Technology, 7.5 credits (within the main field of study, second-cycle level)

The student is also given the option of choosing an elective course from any other Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) at the Swedish Defence University, provided that the student meets the entry requirements for that course and the other of the two elective courses is a course within this programme.

Upon completion of the programme, the student is expected to be able to demonstrate:

Knowledge and understanding

• knowledge and understanding within the main field of international operational law, including both an overview of the field and in-depth knowledge of specific areas of the field, as well as insight into current research and legal developments; and
• in-depth methodological knowledge in the main field of international operational law.

Competence and skills

• the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyse, assess and manage complex phenomena, questions and situations, even with limited information;
• the ability to independently identify and formulate questions, and to plan and, with adequate methods, perform qualified tasks within the given time frames;
• the ability to present and discuss clearly, both verbally and in writing, their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different groups; and
• the skills required to participate in research and legal developments or to perform other qualified work.

Judgement and approach

• the ability to assess relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, as well as demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and legal development within the programme's main field of study ;
• insight into the potential and limitations of science, its role in society, and the responsibility for how it is used; and
• the ability to identify their need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for their knowledge development.

Swedish Degree of Master of Laws (juristexamen) or Degree of Bachelor of Science in Law with Specialisation in International Law, or equivalent, plus English B or English 6

Degree of Master of Laws (LL.M.), (60 credits) in International Operational Law.

When this programme is no longer offered or when the content of the programme has been significantly altered, the student has the right to be examined in courses within the programme once per semester over a period of four semesters. During this period, the restrictions stated in the course syllabuses apply.

The programme is conducted in English.

This is a processed version of the educational plan, created to transfer the original to the educational database Ladok educational planning. For originals, refer to the archive.