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Malmö University
Course syllabus spring 2021
Course syllabus spring 2021
Title
Human Rights II
Swedish title
Mänskliga rättigheter II
Course code
MR210L
Credits
30 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2020-11-04
Syllabus valid from
2021-01-18
Entry requirements
Human Rights I (at least 27,5 credits from MR110L or MR101L, or equivalent)
Level
Basic level
Main field
Human Rights
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is part of the main field of study Human Rights at the 31-60 credit level and meets the degree requirements for the degree of Bachelor, main field of study Human Rights.
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the field of Human Rights from a multidisciplinary perspective. Students will also acquire an ability to analyse central questions and problems within the field in an independent and critical manner.
Course contents
The course consists of three modules:
1. Contemporary Human Rights Issues (15 credits)
The module will deal with contemporary issues and central questions within the field of human rights. The first part of the module addresses the drafting and establishment of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Besides the process itself, it addresses central human rights issues arising from the establishment of the declaration. The second part of the module will continue with tracing the central human rights issues originating from the establishment of the Universal Declaration in contemporary human rights debates.
2. Method (7,5 credits)
The module covers primary methods and methodological issues of relevance for the study of human rights.
3. Project work (7,5 credits)
The module consists of a project work including a presentation, defence and evaluation of project works.
Learning outcomes
Module 1: Contemporary Human Rights Issues
After completing the module, the student will
  1. have a broader and in-depth understanding of the origins of and contemporary human rights issues from a multidisciplinary perspective;
  2. have the ability to independently analyse and critically reflect upon contemporary issues within the field of human rights;
  3. have an in-depth understanding of and the capability to analyse the causes, dynamics and different interpretations of human rights issues;
  4. be able to discuss and problematise contemporary human rights issues by applying relevant scientific approaches and theories to an independently selected material.
Module 2: Method
After completing the module, the student will
  1. have a basic knowledge of the connection between scientific problem, research question and the choice of theory and method;
  2. have a basic knowledge and understanding of scientific theory and different methods within humanities and social sciences
  3. have the capability to formulate a research question and to argue for the use of relevant methods and material.
Module 3: Project Work
After completing the module, the student will
  1. be able to analyse human rights issues by applying relevant theories and methods;
  2. be able to cooperate and to complete the project within a group setting;
  3. be able to structure an academic text, use academic formalities, and on a basic level master an academic language;
  4. have the ability to evaluate and defend an academic text.
Learning activities
The course is designed for full-time study. The teaching activities in the first module is mainly lectures seminars, and workshops. During the second and third modules the teaching activities consist of lectures, seminars and supervision. The majority of the learning activities consists of independent study. The learning activities presuppose active participation from the students. Students who have not presented a passing project work are not given further supervision.
Assessment
1.Contemporary Human Rights Issues
The students’ performance in the module is assessed by means of written assignments.
Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will be assessed by an individual home exam 5 hp.
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be assessed by an individual written assignment 5 hp.
Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be assessed by an individual written assignment 5 hp.
2. Method
The students’ performance in the module are assessed by seminar participation and an individual written assignment.
Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will be assessed by an individual written assignment 5.5 hp.
Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 will be assessed by seminar participation 2 hp.
3. Project Work
The students’ performance in the module is examined by the completion of a written project work and an oral opposition seminar.
Learning outcomes 1, 2 and 3 are assessed by a written project work 5.5 hp.
Learning outcome 4 is assessed by an oral opposition seminar 2 hp.
In order to achieve a passing grade on the course in its entirety, the grade Pass is required for each examination.
Course literature and other study material
Module 1: Current Human Rights Issues
  • Freeman, Michael, (2011), Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Polity Press.
  • Hayden, Patrick, (2001), The Philosophy of Human Rights, Paragon House Publishers
  • Ishay, Micheline, R., (2006) The Human Rights Reader, Routledge.
  • Rodriguez-Garavito, Csar (Ed.): Business and Human Rights: Beyond the end of the beginning, Cambridge Univ. Press 2018. (Available as e-book through Malmö University Library)
  • Morsink, Johannes (2000) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Origins, Drafting and Intent, University of Pennsylvania Press
  • Additional 500 pages of primary source material from the United Nations archives.
  • Additional 800 pages of articles and material individually selected by students.
Module 2: Method
  • Halperin, Sandra & Heath, Oliver (latest edition) Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
  • May, Tim (2001), Social Science Research (London: Open University).
  • There may be additional articles (max 300 pages) in lecture presentations.
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students will be offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.
Additional information
The Language of Instruction is English