Course syllabus Human Rights in Crisis and Conflict
Swedish name: Mänskliga rättigheter i kris och konflikt
Course code:
2OJ002
Valid from semester:
Autumn Term 2022
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
5.0 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
International Operational Law
Department:
Department of Political Science and Law
Subject:
International and Operational Law
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings- och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2020-10-13
Entry requirements
Degree of Master of Laws or Degree of Bachelor of Science in Law with Specialisation in International Law or equivalent plus English B or English 6.
Course content and structure
The overall aim of the course is to give the student in-depth understanding of how human rights are affected, or altered in their application, in crises and armed conflicts.
The course consists of two parts:
1\. Human rights in crisis with a focus on issues of restrictions of, and derogations from human rights in connection with crises.
This part of the course focuses on various types of crises that have led to states derogating from their obligations under, in particular, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights (ECHR) and/or the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The course also delves deeper into the perspective by studying the restrictions and derogations of some selected countries from these two conventions in connection with COVID-19, and how these countries have handled the return to ordinary regulations after the crisis. The course covers and develops concepts such as the rule of law, states of emergency, and the international regulations that entail these concepts.
2\. Human rights in armed conflicts
This part of the course focuses on the applicability of human rights law in armed conflicts. The course covers issues such as human rights law and international humanitarian law as complementary or competing regulations in armed conflicts, and how today's conflicts and situations that are in the no man's land between peace and war affect regulations and states’ views on the applicability of human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The course begins with lectures interspersed with self-study. The course then alternates between lectures and seminars, which together give the students a foundation for the final written take-home examination, which is written individually.
Type of Instruction
The course consists of two parts:
1\. Human rights in crisis with a focus on issues of restrictions of, and derogations from human rights in connection with crises.
This part of the course focuses on various types of crises that have led to states derogating from their obligations under, in particular, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights (ECHR) and/or the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The course also delves deeper into the perspective by studying the restrictions and derogations of some selected countries from these two conventions in connection with COVID-19, and how these countries have handled the return to ordinary regulations after the crisis. The course covers and develops concepts such as the rule of law, states of emergency, and the international regulations that entail these concepts.
2\. Human rights in armed conflicts
This part of the course focuses on the applicability of human rights law in armed conflicts. The course covers issues such as human rights law and international humanitarian law as complementary or competing regulations in armed conflicts, and how today's conflicts and situations that are in the no man's land between peace and war affect regulations and states’ views on the applicability of human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The course begins with lectures interspersed with self-study. The course then alternates between lectures and seminars, which together give the students a foundation for the final written take-home examination, which is written individually.
Type of Instruction
- Seminars
- Lectures
- Independent Study
Objectives
After completed course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- identify and explain regulations of human rights in relation to crises and armed conflicts.
Competence and skills
- independently and with the support of adequate legal methodology, identify, relate and critically process issues concerning emergencies, principles of the rule of law, and states of emergency.
Judgement and approach
- explain, both verbally and in writing, regulations in human rights, their application in armed conflict, and their relationship to the regulations in international humanitarian law,
- demonstrate the ability to independently and correctly identify and apply relevant law crises and armed conflicts.
Examination formats
Written Take-home Exam 3 credits
Assessment takes place through a written take-home examination.
Participation in Compulsory Seminars 1,5 credits
Assessment takes place through mandatory seminars.
Examinations submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist and the examiner finds the reason acceptable.
The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order for a passing grade to be achieved in the course. The supplementation shall be submitted no later than three working days after notification of the examination results and the decision on supplementation, unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.
Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (PwD), Pass (P) and Fail (F). Grading criteria are specified by no later than the start of the course.
To earn the grade Pass (P), the student must actively participate in mandatory seminars and earn a grade of Pass (P) on the written take-home examination.
To earn the grade Pass with Distinction (PwD) in the course, the student must meet the requirements for Pass (P) and earn a grade of Pass with Distinction (PwD) on the written take-home examination.
The number of examinations is not limited.
Assessment takes place through a written take-home examination.
Participation in Compulsory Seminars 1,5 credits
Assessment takes place through mandatory seminars.
Examinations submitted late will not be graded unless special circumstances exist and the examiner finds the reason acceptable.
The examiner may decide to allow supplementation in order for a passing grade to be achieved in the course. The supplementation shall be submitted no later than three working days after notification of the examination results and the decision on supplementation, unless special circumstances exist that are acceptable to the examiner.
Grading
Grades are set according to a three-grade scale: Pass with Distinction (PwD), Pass (P) and Fail (F). Grading criteria are specified by no later than the start of the course.
To earn the grade Pass (P), the student must actively participate in mandatory seminars and earn a grade of Pass (P) on the written take-home examination.
To earn the grade Pass with Distinction (PwD) in the course, the student must meet the requirements for Pass (P) and earn a grade of Pass with Distinction (PwD) on the written take-home examination.
The number of examinations is not limited.
Transitional provisions
When the course is no longer given or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.
Other regulations
The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.
The course is given within the Swedish Defence University’s Master’s Programme in International Operational Law, and may also be given as a freestanding course.
If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defense University on special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.
This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.
The course is given within the Swedish Defence University’s Master’s Programme in International Operational Law, and may also be given as a freestanding course.
If a student has a decision from the Swedish Defense University on special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
On completion of the course, an evaluation will be conducted under the auspices of the course director and will serve as the basis for any changes to the course.
This is an edited version of the syllabus, created to transfer the original to the education database Ladok education planning. For originals, refer to the archive.