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LAW42130

Academic Year 2024/2025

United Nations Human Rights Practice (LAW42130)

Subject:
Law
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Law
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Suzanne Egan
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module aims to train students to engage in a practical way with the procedures of United Nations human rights bodies frequently used by lawyers, civil society actors and national human rights institutions as advocacy tools. The module will consist of of a critical exploration of the UN’s international human rights architecture, focusing on the practice and procedure of the human rights treaty bodies, special rapporteurs and the Human Rights Council. Students will also critically reflect on key challenges facing those systems in securing effective protection of human rights. This module will deploy active learning methods whereby students will develop their knowledge by working on practical activities related to the UN human rights procedures.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

(i) Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the normative evolution and substance of the UN international human rights framework;

(ii) Critically engage with the practice and procedure of the core UN human rights institutions i.e. the UN human rights treaty bodies as well as the system of special rapporteurs and universal periodic review of the UN Human Rights Council.

(iii) Have a good understanding of the interpenetration and interaction between the international human rights system and domestic human rights law and institutions;

(iv) Critically evaluate the operation and effectiveness of UN human rights procedures as legal and policy tools.

(iv) Be able to demonstrate inter-personal skills and competence in teamwork and interpersonal communication.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

180
Lectures

24
Total

204

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This is an experiential learning module in that it aims for students to discover the potential as well as the limitations of the UN human rights system for addressing human rights issues on the ground. It will take a constructivist pedagogical approach whereby students will be encouraged to learn by means of in-class activities; reflective learning; and task-based learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Assignment: Students will work individually to produce a practical resource/report relevant to the UN human rights procedural framework. Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Reflective Assignment: Journal: Individual, self-reflection by learning journal. Week 12 Graded No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
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