© University of Kent - Contact | Feedback | Legal | Cookies
The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ, T +44 (0)1227 764000
Human Rights
Human rights have become a central concern for states, citizens, international organisations, and advocacy networks in the world today. This programme is designed to provide students with an understanding of human rights issues within a global context. We examine unresolved practical, theoretical and philosophical issues and questions concerning the universality of human rights; whose responsibility it is to protect human rights; and whether human rights conventions, laws, and regimes are effective. We also look at key international practices from a human rights perspective, including multinational corporations, development, war, genocide, refugees, and violence against women.
Programme structure
Full-time students complete the MA in Human Rights over twelve months. Study is divided between taught modules, which last for one term each, and dissertation work. For full-time students, a total of six modules must be taken over the first two terms. Supervised dissertation work, on a relevant agreed subject, is then undertaken during the remainder of the academic year.
The MA can be taken on a part-time basis, typically over two years but flexible arrangements are also possible. When taking it over two years, part-time students choose three modules in each academic year, and write a supervised dissertation thereafter.
The programme is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma, which entails the same taught curriculum as the MA but does not require a dissertation. It is thus worth 120 credits [60 ECTS]. The Diploma can also be taken on a part-time basis.
The programme is offered in a 120 ECTS format - comprising nine taught modules plus a dissertation over 18 months.
Autumn term
Required
Optional - 2 modules of 20 credits each
- PO824 International Relations Theory
- PO832 Conflict Resolution in World Politics
- PO866 Federalism and Federal Political Systems
- PO886 European Public Policy
- PO916 International Security in a Changing World
- PO920 International Political Economy: Conflict, Co-operation and Institutions
- PO937 Resistance in Theory
- PO942 Resistance and the Politics of Truth
Spring term
Required
Optional - 2 modules of 20 credits each
- PO828 Theories of Conflict and Violence
- PO848 Negotiation and Mediation
- PO859 Human Rights in a World of States
- PO867 Comparative Federal Political Systems
- PO885 Decision-Making in the European Union
- PO817 Resistance and Alternatives to Capitalism and Democracy
- PO917 Terrorism and National Security
- PO926 Designing Democracy
- PO936 Resistance in Practice
- Quantitative Methodology for Political Science
Summer term
Dissertation of 15,000 words - required for the MA only
Details of this programme are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change