Foundations of Human Rights Law

This module will introduce students to the basic principles of human rights law. It will provide students with a historical and theoretical context for understanding the contemporary protection of human rights, and introduce them to principles, rights as well as the leading regimes (global and regional) for the protection of human rights.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

• Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles underpinning the protection of human rights.
• Engage with debates around the historical origin of human rights and human rights protection, and with various critiques of human rights.
• Identify the main legal regimes, both global and regional, for the protection of human rights, and discuss the difference between each.
• Identify and critically appraise the multiple factors that influence the development and application of international human rights law

Workload

• Weekly 2 hour lecture
• 1 hour tutorial (please see syllabus for details of when tutorials are scheduled)

Method of assessment

• Coursework: 50% (3000 words)
• Unseen Written Examination: 50%

Suggested reading

• M.A. Baderin and R McCorquodale, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Action (2007)
• T-U. Baik, Emerging Human Rights Systems in Asia (2013)
• I. Bantekas and L.Oette, International human rights law and practice, 2nd edn. (2016)
• U. Baxi, The Future of Human Rights, 3rd edn. (2008)

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.