JUS5134 – International Law of Peace

Peace and Conflict studies traditionally tend to focus on the causes and dynamics of conflict. This is the only legal course in the world which seeks to explore the normative framework and substantive components of peace under international law. How does the international community create a Sustainable Peace? How can peace be emancipatory instead of oppressive in the face of growing authoritarianism, nativism, and populism? Is only Negative Peace law? How can Positive Peace be justiciable?

We begin with a review of the philosophical origins of the right to peace, followed by legal analysis of relevant international instruments, including the UN Charter, regional instruments, and human rights law. Special lectures address the substantive components of Peace: The prohibition on the Use of Force, the role of the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, and ICJ, the evolution of third generation Human Rights, the principle of peaceful coexistence, the obligation to pursue peaceful dispute resolution, the link to Sustainable Development, Gender Equality, Non-Discrimination, Transitional Justice, Constitutional Law, and Protection of Refugees. Particular attention is paid to the role of civil society and non-state actors in both preventive and post bellum scenarios.

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.

You may register for this course if you have admission to Rettsvitenskap (jus) (master), The Theory and Practice of Human Rights (master) and Peace, Conflict, and Democracy (master) at UiO or the faculty`s exchange programme.

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.

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.

Students attending the following programmes are also exempt from the formal prerequisites:

• The Theory and Practice of Human Rights (master)
• Peace, Conflict, and Democracy (master)

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.

Previous exam papers

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.

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination.
• There are special rules for resitting a passed examination in the master`s programme in Law.