LAW-40038 - 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

First or second class honours degree in Law or a related discipline (such as politics, criminology, sociology or history), or appropriate professional qualifications and/or experience

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

Human rights have become a central, defining feature of modern international law. Human rights have been proclaimed and codified in numerous declarations and treaties. International courts and tribunals have been established with jurisdiction over various human rights violations. Wars are being fought in the name of human rights. Observance of human rights is used as a condition of participation in various international programmes and the receipt of financial aid. Human rights NGOs have proliferated and are involved in monitoring compliance with humanitarian standards across the globe. As noted by Joseph Raz: "this is a good time for human rights" ('Human Rights Without Foundations' in Samantha Besson &John Tasioulas (eds), The Philosophy of International Law, Oxford: OUP, 2010, at 321).
The aim of this module is to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical understanding of the design and development of modern international human rights law. The module offers a perspective of both the normative standards defining international human rights and the means by which they are monitored and implemented. Special attention will be given to the work of UN human rights bodies and of regional organisations. We will also examine the so-called 'dark sides of virtue' (David Kennedy), i.e. the unforeseen consequences, biases and ambiguities of the human rights project, and the ways in which well-intentioned human rights interventions can at times create as many problems as they solve.

The aim of this module is to provide students with a solid foundation and a good understanding of the rules, institutions and mechanisms for the protection of human rights at universal and regional levels. The module will introduce students to the key concepts and legal instruments concerning the protection of human rights, with special attention being paid to UN treaties and declarations. Equally, it will encourage students to think critically about human rights actors, institutions and interventions. We will examine the so-called 'dark sides of virtue' (David Kennedy), i.e. the unforeseen consequences, biases and ambiguities of the human rights project, and the ways in which well-intentioned human rights interventions can at times create as many problems as they solve.

Intended Learning Outcomes

recognise and identify the laws and institutions that structure international human rights will be achieved by assessments: 1
critically analyse the achievements and shortcomings of the international protection of human rights will be achieved by assessments: 1
identify and apply some of the critical perspectives on international human right law to specific topics or issues will be achieved by assessments: 1
pursue independent research and produce a research paper in the field of human rights law will be achieved by assessments: 1

Study hours

10 x 2h seminars = 20h
Seminar preparation = 40h
Essay preparation = 50h
Private study = 40h
Total: 150h

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment