SO424
Approaches to Human Rights
This information is for the 2022/23 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Mai Taha STC S206 and Prof Monika Krause STC S207
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Human Rights. This course is available on the LLM (extended part-time), LLM (full-time), MSc in Gender, Peace and Security, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and University of Pennsylvania Law School LLM Visiting Students. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
This course has a limited number of places (it is controlled access). Students who have this course as a core course are guaranteed a place. Other than for students for whom the course is a core course, places are allocated based on a written statement. As demand is typically high, this may mean that not all students who apply will be able to get a place on this course.
Course content
This is a multi-disciplinary course that provides students with a rigorous and focused engagement with different disciplinary perspectives on the subject of human rights including philosophy, sociology and international law. It provides students with contending interpretations of human rights as an idea and practice from the different standpoints that the disciplines present and investigates the particular knowledge claims and modes of reasoning that the respective disciplines engage. The course applies the insights of international law, philosophy and sociology to understand key human rights issues such as universality, international institutions, genocide, non-discrimination, economic and social rights and citizenship.
Teaching
This course is delivered through a combination of lectures, online materials and seminars totalling a minimum of 40 hours across MT and LT, with 1 hour in ST.
Reading Weeks: Students on this course will have a reading week in MT Week 6 and LT Week 6, in line with departmental policy.
Formative coursework
Active participation in the workshops is expected and students will be asked to make a presentation to their group.
Students will have an opportunity to submit a formative essay in the MT.
Indicative reading
Indicative reading: No one book covers the entire syllabus and students are expected to read widely from more general texts on human rights, to more specific texts outlining the debates on human rights from a particular disciplinary perspective.
Introductory reading: Jack Donnelly, Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice; Michael Freeman, Human Rights; Philip Alston and Ryan Goodman, International Human Rights (2013).
Philosophy: P. Jones, Rights, (1994); A. Swift, Political Philosophy: A Beginners' Guide for Students and Politicians, (2006).
International Law: A. Cassese, International Law, 2nd ed. (2005), chapter 19; P. Sieghart, The Lawful Rights of Mankind (1985), S.Greer, The European Convention on Human Rights - Achievements, Problems and Prospects, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Sociology: L. Morris, Rights: Sociological Perspectives (2006); B. Turner, Vulnerability and Human Rights (2006); A. Woodiwiss, Human Rights (2005).
Assessment
Exam (70%, duration: 3 hours) in the summer exam period.
Essay (30%, 3000 words) in the ST.
An electronic copy of the assessed essay, to be uploaded to Moodle, no later than 4.00pm on the first Tuesday of Summer Term.
Attendance at all classes and submission of all set coursework is required.
Student performance results
(2018/19 - 2020/21 combined)
Classification | % of students |
---|---|
Distinction | 6 |
Merit | 80.4 |
Pass | 13.7 |
Fail | 0 |
Key facts
Department: Sociology
Total students 2021/22: 48
Average class size 2021/22: 16
Controlled access 2021/22: Yes
Lecture capture used 2021/22: Yes (MT)
Value: One Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills