What is the role of law in identifying and addressing human suffering on a global scale? You will confront this question by examining the evolution, principles, institutions and functions of international human rights law in their political, social, economic, and especially, cultural contexts. You will gain a detailed knowledge and understanding of the origins and development of human rights law through critical study and analysis of key theoretical perspectives and debates. Through this module you will consider the relevance, or otherwise, of international human rights law to historical and/or contemporary challenges and critically assess its limitations and effects. In particular, you will focus on how international human rights issues (especially as they concern the ‘victims’, ‘perpetrators’, and ‘beneficiaries’ of human rights abuses) are represented in the broader popular culture and how they can be critically identified and analysed.
Lectures 16 hours, Workshops 16 hours
Short Writing Piece. Assessment Details: Essay Plan (500 words) worth 20% of the total marks for the module.
Extended Writing. Assessment Details: Essay (3,000 words) worth 80% of the total marks for the module. This Assessment is Pass Compulsory.
Reassessment Method: Like for Like
For reading lists see the detailed module information on moodle
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Engage in independent legal and interdisciplinary research on international human rights law
2) Critically review the origins, development and current key debates on human rights in international law drawing on evidence from a range of sources
3) Critically analyse political and cultural images, discourses and/or representations from an international human rights perspective
4) Critically evaluate the central principles and institutions of international and regional human rights frameworks in the contemporary global, political, economic, and social context
5) Appreciate the limits of international human rights law by applying and analysing different theoretical perspectives and critical concerns.
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