JUS5570 – International Criminal Law

Course content

International Criminal Law is undergoing a dramatic development these days. This course seeks to present the most current state of this field and its place in the modern international legal system. The course will discuss the development of individual criminal responsibility under international law, including the notion of international crimes. The objective and subjective components of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and crime against peace will be discussed. Further, the course will discuss general principles of international criminal law, such as the principle of legality, guilt, modes of participation, defenses, jurisdiction and immunity.

The course will analyze the factual background and legal legal basis of the Nüremberg and Tokyo tribunals and International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, as well as selected jurisprudence of these tribunals. An emphasis will be placed on the statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) adopted in Rome 1998 and entered into force 1st July 2002. The role of the Security Council in the field of international criminal law will be discussed. Further, the course will discuss the implementation of international criminal law on the national level and some relevant jurisprudence of national courts.

The course will look at the various principles that may provide for national jurisdiction - such as universal jurisdiction, questions of immunity, and questions of extradition and abduction. The question whether States have an absolute duty under international law to prosecute international crimes will be discussed. Can a society deal with a former regime’s massive violations of human rights by other means than prosecution that is acceptable to the international community, for example a truth commission? The course will seek to discuss current themes such as (for example) the implications of international criminal law regarding military interventions and the relationship between international criminal law and terrorism.

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?Konflikth?ndtering og prosess, tvist og straff?and?Internasjonal rett og menneskerettigheter

Learning outcome

See learning outcome for JUS5570

Admission to the course

You may register for this course if you have admission to a Master’s programme at UiO or the faculty's exchange programme and meet the formal prerequisites.

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.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

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 should have prior knowledge of international law and national criminal law.

Overlapping courses

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 materials are in English.

Examination

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

Examination support material

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.

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.

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

Resit an examination

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Dec. 12, 2025 3:34:45 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
English

Contact

The Information Centre at The Faculty of Law