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Kies de Nederlandse taal
Course module: UCSSCLAW31
UCSSCLAW31
International Human Rights
Course info
Course codeUCSSCLAW31
EC7.5
Course goals
After completing this course students are able to:
  • discuss topics from a human rights based angle;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the various elements - and their interplay - involved in the multi-facetted field of international law;
  • identify and, where appropriate, distinguish between legal, moral, political and other considerations and arguments;
  • demonstrate knowledge about the (historical) background, the perspectives and the limitations of international human rights law, which are necessary for being able to begin to tackle legal problems in practice;
  • discuss and write about relevant topics in the field of international law and human rights
Content
This course is designed for students interested in international studies, international law, human rights, peace and conflict resolution, international politics and international development. The first part of the course focuses on the major features of the international human rights law as part and parcel of general international law. Accordingly, the course begins by examining the philosophical and political bases for the international human rights movement, touching upon the ongoing debate over universality, culture and human rights. In addition, it will introduce the relevant sources, make a distinction between different categories of rights and expound on the nature and scope of application.
The second part of the course will then explore the content of various substantive human rights. Several civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights will be dealt with. After that the third part will consider judicial, quasi-judicial and non-judicial mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights at the international and regional levels. As such, the United Nations system and the regional human rights systems of Europe, Africa and the America’s will be examined. Finally, the last part will deal with a number of relevant developments and challenges in regard to international human rights law, such as (counter) terrorism, poverty and environmental degradation.

Format
As in all UCU courses, students are expected to read all assigned material, attend and prepare for all classes and take an active part in discussion. The class encourages diversity of opinion and respect for differing views. Students must study the reading materials assigned for each session and are encouraged to get acquainted with outside legal materials and to conduct independent research. Students may be called on through random cold-calling to discuss cases and hypotheticals in class. In addition to a paper and exam, students will also participate in a moot court at the end of the semester.
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Kies de Nederlandse taal