Prof Susan Marks NAB 7.14

This course is available on the MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Human Rights, Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is part of the following LLM specialisms: Public International Law, Human Rights Law.

This course is capped at 30 students. 

None (but please note that this course is a pre-requisite for Selected Topics in International Human Rights Law (LL4AX).

The course provides an introduction to the historical developments, institutional arrangements and central principles that have given shape to the regime of international human rights law. We consider enduring debates around the foundations and universality of human rights, and look at a range of issues relating to the interpretation and application of human rights treaties, such as reservations, derogations and extraterritoriality. We also examine ongoing efforts to reform the institutions and procedures of international human rights law. Through the study of relevant concepts, norms, processes and debates, students are encouraged to develop an informed and critical assessment of the significance of international human rights law as a force for emancipatory change.

20 hours of lectures in the MT. 2 hours of lectures in the ST.

There will be a reading week in week 6.

One 2,000 word essay.

Reading lists will be provided for each seminar on Moodle. Relevant readings are likely to include: Charles Beitz, The Idea of Human Rights (2009); Conor Gearty and Costas Douzinas (eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Human Rights Law (2012); and Philip Alston and Frédéric Mégret, The United Nations and Human Rights: A Critical Appraisal (2017).

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the main exam period.