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

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The International Bill of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations after the Second World War (1939-1945) 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 "contemporary world issues".
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 Second World War (1939 - 1945): 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 children's rights, women's rights, migration and mobility, terrorism, poverty and climate change.

To introduce students to the concept and evolution of international human rights from the mid twentieth century to today.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise and identify the laws and institutions that structure international human rights law.: 1
Discern and critique examples of international inequality and global change as contexts within which to consider human rights guarantees and violations.: 1
Independently investigate and study human rights issues and evaluate 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 1948.: 1

Study hours

12 x 2 hour interactive workshops = 24 hours
Workshop preparation = 46 hours
Background reading and essay preparation = 80 hours
Total = 150 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment