JUR1710 – International Human Rights Law: Institutions and Procedures

Course content

The international legal protection of human rights has mainly developed  since the end of World War II as a fundamental part of the world order aimed at securing peace and stability, the self-determination of peoples and sustainable development for all. The United Nations and regional organisations, most notably the Council of Europe, have taken the lead in ensuring respect for human rights through international legal and political mechanisms involving states, individuals, groups, NGOs and businesses. This course unfolds the institutions, treaties, procedures and practices of these intergovernmental organisations, providing perspectives on the evolving rules and normative standards defining international human rights, the actors involved, and the processes and means by which they are monitored and their implementation is promoted. Students will gain knowledge about (1) institutions and procedures; (2) selected rights and the obligation of states, and (3) analyze challenges and achievements of the international human rights regime through country studies.

For students enrolled in Rettsvitenskap (jus) (master – 5 ?r): Have you considered a specialization as part of your degree? The course is part of the profile Internasjonal rett og menneskerettigheter.

Learning outcome

The aim of this course is to provide you with a good understanding of the institutions and mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights at universal and regional levels. After completing this course, you will have a good understanding of different aspects the institutions and procedures presented in the course and human rights cases from different international organs. You should be able to identify legal issues of factual situations, assemble, and use relevant sources for resolving legal questions within the field of human rights, and have the ability to describe and critically analyze  achievements and shortcomings of the international protection of human rights. 

Read more about learning outcomes and achievement requirements

Admission

Students who are admitted to study programmes or individual courses at UiO must each semester register
which courses and exams they wish to sign up for by registering a study plan in StudentWeb.

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 that are accepted to study programmes or individual courses at UiO can be admitted to this course.

Prerequisites

Recommended previous knowledge

Please note that lectures and curriculum for this course is aimed at students at master degree level.

However, the achievement requirements are adjusted for students who take the subject at bachelor degree level.

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 auxiliary materials are in English.

Examination

24 hour written home exam

2500 words on bachelor’s level. 

Footnotes should be included in the word count of the main text. Not included in this count: front page (title etc.), summary, table of contents and references (bibliography). (If relevant for the paper).

Assignments/papers with text exceeding the word limit will not be accepted. 

Previous exam papers

Examination support material

This is an open book exam. Candidates may therefore make use of all available sources during the examination period.

Your exam paper must be an independent work. Exam candidates are not permitted to communicate with other persons about the exam question(s) or distribute draft answers or exam answers.

General rules on exam support materials

Use of sources and rules for citing

Familiarize yourself with the use of sources and citations in legal writing. In an exam situation, using other people’s material without declaring it in a clear manner may be considered cheating or an attempt at cheating. You must cite any sources you draw on.

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.

Marking criteria for written examination

This  guide is used by examiners for grading elective courses at the Faculty of Law.
 

Explanations and appeals

Resit an examination

Withdrawal from an examination

It is possible to take this exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.

There are special rules for resitting a passed examination in the master's programme in Law.

Special examination arrangements

Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.

Evaluation

The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.

Other

The language for this course is English. Students enrolled in the
Masterprogrammet i rettsvitenskap must pass one
English subject as part of their degree, this course will meet these
obligations.

This subject is taught at Bachelor's level. The subject is also taught at Master's level (10 ECTS credits), see JUS5710 – International Human Rights Law: Institutions and Procedures

Please see the chapter above, regarding overlap. For instances of overlap, credits will be deducted on the subject at Bachelors's level.

Facts about this course

Credits
10
Level
Bachelor
Teaching
Every autumn
Examination
Every autumn
Teaching language
English

Contact

The Information Centre at The Faculty of Law