Prerequisite courses for this course are: MR101E Human Rights I (passed) or MR101L Human Rights I (passed) and MR102E Human Rights II (passed) or MR105E Human Rights II (passed) or MR105L Human Rights II (passed)

The course is a part of the main field of study Human rights at the 61-90 level and meets the degree requirements for the degree of Bachelor, main field of study Human Rights.

The course objective is for students to develop advanced knowledge and skills in the field of Human Rights. Students will further develop their ability to identify and critically analyse key problems and issues within the human rights field, which mainly is done by the writing of a bachelor thesis.

Method and analysis (15 credits)

Thesis (15 credits)

The first module (method and analysis) focuses on methods of relevance to the study of human rights, for instance legal method, philosophical argumentation, and social science methods. The module is based in examples of human rights research, such as scientific articles and other material that concerns human rights; these forms of material are discussed in relation to the methodological considerations done. Particular attention is paid to choice of methods, use of methods in collecting and analyzing relevant material and how analysis and conclusions are related to methodological choices.

The second module (thesis) is comprised by the completion of a bachelor thesis, as well as a critical examination of the work of another student, and the defence of ones own thesis in an opposition seminar.

Module 1: Method and analysis

After finishing the module the student:

1. Can demonstrate deeper knowledge about theories and methods relevant for the study of human rights;
2. Can demonstrate deeper ability to choose and use theories and methods as well as ability to integrate different methods;
3. Can demonstrate deeper ability to choose and analyse relevant material and draw well-founded conclusions on the basis of the material and
4. Can demonstrate deeper ability to analytically reflect on theory and method and analysis of material

Module 2: Thesis

After finishing the module the student:

1. Can identify specific topics and problems within the subject area and formulate research questions with regard to these.
2. Can identify and accurately describe and use theories and methods that are relevant to the thesis work and which relate to earlier academic research.
3. Can assess, critique and present academic material in a structured analysis.
4. Can present her/his research in an academic thesis that is literate and utilises a consistent and correct referencing system.
5. Can orally discuss his/her own work; and assess and provide constructive criticism of the thesis work of others.

Module 1 contains teaching mostly in the form of seminars. On the second module teaching is in the form of supervision and seminars. A large part of the learning activities consists of independent study.

A student who has not finished the project work during the course, or has not received a passing grade on the project work at the end of the course cannot be guaranteed continued supervision.

1.Method and analysis (15 hp)

Learning outcomes 1-4 are assessed through written assignments and compulsory seminar attendance.

2. Bachelor Thesis (15 hp)

Learning outcomes 1-4 is assessed by the completion of a thesis (12 credits). Learning outcome 5 is assessed by means of critical evaluation of another student’s bachelor thesis as well as the defense of ones own (3 credits).

Module 1: Method and analysis

• Boréus, Kristina (2017), ”Argumentation Analysis”. In Kristina Boréus, Göran Bergström: Analyzing Text and Discourse: Eight Approaches for the Social Sciences, London: SAGE.
• Flyvbjerg, Bent (2006) "Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research” Qualitative Inquiry, vol 12, no 2: 219-245 (http://vbn.aau.dk/files/3790172/BF_Qualitative_Inquiry_2006_vol12_no2_April_pp__219-245.pdf)//
• Gerring, John (2004) "What is a Case Study and What is it Good For?" American Political Science Review, vol 98, no 2: 341-354
• Halperin, Sandra & Heath, Oliver (2017) Political Research: Methods and Practical Skills (Oxford: Oxford University Press).
• Stausberg, M., Engler, S. (2013) The Routledge Handbook of Research Methods in the Study of Religion, Routledge 2013, excerpts of about 50 pages. (available as e-book from the MAH library).
• Thomson, Anne (2005)Critical Reasoning in Ethics, London: Routledge
• Vaughn, Lewis (2006) Writing Philosophy. New York: Oxford University Press.

There may be additional material (ca 300 pages) in the lecture presentations.

Module 2: Thesis

There may be additional material (ca 300 pages) in the lecture presentations.

Malmö University provides students who participate in, or who have completed a course, with the opportunity to express their opinions and describe their experiences of the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarise the results of course evaluations. The University will also inform participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures taken in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered, or has undergone significant changes, the students must be offered two opportunities for re-examination based on the syllabus that applied at the time of registration, for a period of one year after the changes have been implemented.

The syllabus is a translation of a Swedish source text.