Module LAW42230: International Human Rights Law

Department: Law

LAW42230: International Human Rights Law

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide an introduction to the achievements and prospects for protecting human rights in international law
• To provide an understanding of the sources of the international human rights law and the legal nature of its rules
• To provide an appreciation of the different roles of States, intergovernmental organisations, national human rights institutions, civil society and other actors within the international human rights law project
• To provide an introduction to the international UN treaty-body mechanisms on for the protection of human rights;
• To provide an introduction to regional mechanisms for the protection and enforcement of human rights;
• To provide an understanding of the shortcomings of the international human rights law project in terms of recognising and addressing the specific rights-related challenges faced by particular groups such as women and children
• To provide an understanding of the contribution that international human rights law may make in conceptualising and addressing multifaceted, complex social problems such as poverty

Content

• The nature, sources, and enforcement mechanisms of international human rights law
• The obligations imposed by different categories of rights that have emerged (e.g., civil and political; economic and social; and individual and group rights)
• The application of human rights in relation to specific issues, including poverty, the protection of children and the challenges to human rights posed by non-state actors
• The interaction and cross-fertilisation of human rights developments and debates at the ‘local’ and the ‘global’ levels

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module, students should be able to
• Understand how and why human rights have emerged and evolved at the international level;
• Recognise and understand the main institutions involved in the development, implementation and monitoring of international human rights law
• Assess the impact of human rights law at the international, regional and national levels;
• Evaluate the ways in which human rights can be enforced and understand the challenges that arise in relation to the implementation of human rights in different contexts
• Understand the limitations to human rights law;
• Recognise the key issues in theoretical and applied debate regarding international human rights law

• Students will be able to identify the key concepts and structures pertaining to international human rights law. Students will be able to evaluate the current value of such and that of any proposed reforms.

• Students should develop their critical analysis skills
• Students should be able to apply academically acquired knowledge of international human rights law to practical legal situations.
• Students should be able to undertake independent and in-depth research regarding international human rights law, making effective use of appropriate primary and secondary materials from a range of international and regional sources.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This will take place mainly through seminars. The use of seminars recognises the advanced nature of this course and will allow students to utilise knowledge and develop that they have already gained either through the course itself or through set preliminary reading for each topic. It will also enable the student to discuss issues in class in order to develop their discursive and persuasive skills and to maximise opportunities for learning through peer exchange.
• The course will entail blended learning. In addition to face-to-face teaching delivery, e-learning tools available such as DUO will be used to enhance the course outside of core seminar hours. In particular, students will be encouraged to contribute to an online discussion forum (boards). This will aid in the development of the students’ research and written skills.
• The summative assessment will be in the form of a 6,000 word essay on an area of international human rights law which the students will independently research and analyse. The students will be given the opportunity to do an optional 3,000 word practise essay (formative assessment) for submission after the Christmas break

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One essay of up to 2,000 words.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University