Main Field of Study and progress level:
Law: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Three-grade scale
Responsible department: Department of Law
Revised by: Head of Department of Law, 2016-12-05
Contents
Rule of law, encompassing fair and effective laws and judicial institutions, is emphasized as crucial for peace, human rights, democracy, security and development. The purpose of the course is to highlight and discuss a number of key issues in creating and sustaining the rule of law post-confict, transition and developing countries, as well as the policies and methods employed by key international, regional and national actors providing support to rule of law reforms.
Among these issues are: Various and alternative definitions of the rule of law. The legal, political and institutional rationale for promoting the rule of law. The role of governance and rule of law in the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Technical approaches to rule of law assistance.
The course starts 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 provide a deeper understanding of key issues in building, reforming and sustaining legal and judicial institutions.
The entire course, including the examination, is in the English language.
Expected learning outcomes
After having successfully completed the course, the student will have detailed knowledge of:
The most common and established rationale for emphasizing RoL in developing, transition and post-crisis environments. The mandates, roles and approches of key actors in rule of law promotion. The possibilities and limitations of various approaches and tools in rule of law promotion.
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. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 5.5 and no individual score below 5.0. TOEFL PBT
(Paper-based Test) with a minimum total score of 530 and a minimum TWE score of 4. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum total score of 72 and a minimum score of 17 on the Writing Section).
Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.
Form of instruction
The teaching will essentially consist a compulsory 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. Participating 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
Examination takes place through fulfillment of two parts, partly the compulsory course elements specified in component 1 below, partly writing a research paper specified in component 2 below.
Component 1 Active participation during compulsory seminars.
Component 2 Fulfillment of an individual research paper.
Grades A passing grade on the activities under components 1-2 above are required to receive a passing grade for the course as a whole. For component 1 the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) can be awarded. On the research paper the grades awarded are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with distinction (VG).
On the entire course, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG). The grade for the course as a whole is based on the result of the research paper and awarded after the completion of all compulsory course elements.
The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances. A student who has not received a passing grade on a test will be afforded an opportunity for re-examination. A student who has passed examination may not be re-examined. A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons exist. A written request for change of examiner is submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Education.
Students who have participated in but failed a test, including essays, seminars, written and oral assignments et cetera, but not including the final written, take home or oral test of the course, have the right to do a make–up assignment in order to reach the grade Pass (but not higher grades). The student may still achieve a higher grade than Pass on the course overall, if all requirements for the grade in question are fulfilled. The make-up assignment must be completed no later than two months after the student learned of the failed grade and using the same form of examination.
Academic credit transfer Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see: www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande
Literature
The literature list is not available through the web.
Please contact the faculty.
