Prerequisite course for this course is: MR101E Human Rights I (passed)

The aim of the course is to provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the field of Human Rights, in terms of both theory and methodology. Students will also acquire an ability to analyse central questions and problems within the field in an independent and critical manner. This is primarily achieved through project work.

The first module (Regional Legal Systems) addresses the function of regional legal systems and their relation to UN-system. The second module (The State, People and Conflict) covers the study of the relationship between the state and various groups and individuals in society, from the perspective of human rights. This module addresses concepts such as collective rights, the right of self-determination, genocide, ethnic conflicts and international criminal law and crime-control. The third module is a method course aiming to give knowledge and understanding about methods of importance for writing theses and more generally analyzing human rights issues. The method course is carried out together with other subjects at the Department of Global Political Studies. The fourth module (Project Work) comprises a written assignment carried out in groups.

After finishing the course, the student:

- can demonstrate knowledge and understanding, based on both a juridical and a political perspective, of concepts such as genocide, the right of self-determination, ethnic conflicts and international criminal law;

- can demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the international system of human rights and knowledge and understanding of its relation to regional legal systems; and

- can demonstrate knowledge and understanding about legal, social scientific and philosophical methods, such as legal method, interviews, text and discourse analysis, case studies and comparative method.

After finishing the course, the student:

- can demonstrate an ability, from a juridical, a political and a philosophical perspective, to identify, formulate, and solve questions and problems related to course topics, within given time frames;

- can demonstrate an ability, both orally and in writing, to give a critical account of their assessment and analysis of these problems and tasks;

- can demonstrate an ability, individually or as part of a group, to collect and revise material and information on human rights that is relevant to the topics covered by the modules, and can give a logical and coherent account of this material and information.

After finishing the course, the student:

- can demonstrate an in-depth ability to analyse, interpret the development of, and critically evaluate the global system of human rights and the extent to which these rights are legitimised and realised with regard to issues of people, state and democracy;

- can demonstrate an in-depth ability, within the subject area of human rights, to evaluate problems from a multi-disciplinary perspective and

- can demonstrate an in-depth ability to independently evaluate their knowledge of human rights and identify their need for further competency within the subject.

Instruction in Modules 1-3 is given primarily in the form of lectures and in -depth seminars. A large portion of the learning activities on the course is devoted to self-study for the students.

During the project work, teachers supervision is provided.

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.

Assessment of modules 1-3 is carried out by means of mandatory assignments to be completed outside class. Module 3 also includes examination through participation and assessment of exercises and written assignments. The fourth module comprises a group project; assessment of this module is based on a submitted essay as well as participation in a seminar wherein essays are opposed and defended. Appraisal in the above forms of examination focuses partly on the student's knowledge and understanding of those problems within the field of human rights covered by the course and partly on the student's ability, within given time frames and in line with other examination requirements, to critically analyse, evaluate and solve issues relating to the subject area. Also included in the assessment is the student's ability to analyse and reflect upon the extent to which human rights are firmly established in contemporary society.

Re-sit examinations

Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits follow the same form as the original exams, apart from re-sits for group work, which take the form of individual written and oral assignments.

There may be additional articles (max 100 pages) in lecture presentations.

Course 3 Method

There may be additional articles (max 100 pages) in lecture presentations. Recommended additional reading: Warburton, Nigel (2000) Thinking From A to Z (London: Routledge).

Course 4 Project work

No literature

All students are offered an opportunity to give oral or written feedback at the end of the course. A summary of the results will be made available on the school's web-pages. The students are also given a possibility to offer feedback for each module.

Student participation takes place through the course council.