Main Field of Study and progress level:
Law: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail
Responsible department: Department of Law
Contents
Fair and reliable laws and judicial institutions are widely emphasized as being crucial to peace, security and development. The purpose of the course is to highlight a number of key issues in creating and reforming such institutions in transition- and developing countries, or countries devastated by war, e.g.
the critical role of law for peace and security,
the legal basis for humanitarian intervention and international administrations,
whether and how law can be used to promote reconsiliation, democratisation and economic development,
the prospects of successfully using foreign legal and judicial concepts as models,
development co-operation within the field of law, e.g. how projects are identified, implemented and evaluated.
The course will start with a brief exposé of the most common arguments for and against international support to legal and judicial reforms, previous experiences of donor-supported reform programs, relevant international norms and policies, and the role of international organizations. After that a number of thematic seminars will provide a deeper understanding of key issues in building and reforming legal and judicial institutions.
All aspects of this course, including the examination, are conducted in English.
Expected learning outcomes
After having successfully completed the course, the student will have detailed knowledge of:
The international rationale for emphasizing RoL in developing, transition and post-crisis environments
The principal approaches and tools for lending international support to RoL reforms
The possibilities and limitations of these approaches and tools
Required Knowledge
Univ.: A minimum of 90 university credits in one main field of social sciences studies, including an individual essay carrying at least 15 university credits, or 120 university credits from the Law Programme, or equivalent qualifications. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS Academic Training minimum score 5.0 with no individual score below 4.5 (Tests taken before January 2005 not admissible or TEOFL minimum score 500 on paper based test and not below 4.0 on the TWE, Alternatively 173 on computer based test with iBT61 is also required as well as basic entrance requirements for higher studies in Swedish language proficiency if the course is taught in Swedish.
Form of instruction
The teaching will essentially consist of seminars. External experts will be invited to discuss current developments within their respective fields. Active participation by the students in analyzing and discussing arguments and trends is critical. Part¬icipating students are required to carefully study all assigned texts and cases before each seminar. Further instructions on the requirements for each seminar will be handed out as the course proceeds. All teaching and seminars will be in the English language. .A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.
Examination modes
Students are required to attend and actively participate in all seminars. Seminars are graded pass (G) or fail (U). The course requirements also include the preparation of cases and individual research papers. The research paper is graded (U), (G) or (VG). The examining teacher has the right to decide on additional requirements or to use another form of examination. Course grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG).
Literature
Valid from:
2011 week 3
Bergling Per Rule of Law on the International Agenda Oxford : Intersentia : 2006 :
