LAW-30081 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

The International Bill of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations after World War II marked an unprecedented international commitment to human rights. However, the international community has continued to witness gross violations of human rights globally, reflected by inconsistency and inequality in their recognition and enforcement. This raises an important question as to the relevance and effectiveness of this legal regime to address various problems of the contemporary world.
This module introduces students to the main features of international human rights law. We will consider different categories of rights that have emerged particularly after the World War II: civil and political; economic and social; and individual and group rights. The module will critically examine the nature and extent of legal obligations imposed upon States and the circumstances in which rights can be limited. In so doing, we will explore some topical issues such as rights to life, work and education, women¿s rights, terrorism and international protection of refugees.

To introduce students to the concept and evolution of international human rights.

Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and identify the laws and institutions that structure international human rights: 1
discern and critique examples of international inequality and global change as contexts within which to consider human rights guarantees: 1
independently investigate and study human rights issues and audit legal responses thereto: 1
identify and interpret the ways in which international attitudes towards, and conceptions of, human rights have evolved since the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: 1

Study hours

10 x 2 hour seminars = 20 hours
seminar preparation = 36 hours
group presentation = 10 hours
background reading and essay preparation = 84 hours
Total = 150 hours
total = 150 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment