Learn more about the programme
Master's Programme in Constitutional Law and Human Rights
Karin Åström, programme coordinator and associate professor in the Department of law, is one of the teachers at the programme. She truly enjoys meeting students from all over the world and discuss human rights issues with them.
Image: Sandra JohanssonHow would you describe the programme?
The programme enriches students with in-depth knowledge of constitutional law and human rights, which is becoming ever more important in both national and international legal orders. Constitutional law and human rights are, in Sweden, Europe and around the world, becoming neglected, or even oppressed, and therefore also part of intense political and legal debate. By studying and comparing the constitutional legal frameworks and human rights of different national, regional, and international legal orders, the programme will prepare students for analysing and solving constitutional and human rights issues in many jurisdictions. It is taught in a creative environment where different legal disciplines intermingle and where the different backgrounds of Swedish and international students create a mix of experiences and viewpoints, which combined with the experience of the faculty fosters exciting discussions.
Can you tell us a little about the second course on the programme that you coordinate?
The second course of the Programme is Human Rights Law. The course describes, analyses and critically assesses human rights in an international, regional, and national constitutional context. The normative protection of human rights is covered, as well as their enforcement and application through current interesting topics and questions. The importance of legal settings for realising human rights in practice are also subject to analysis and critical discussion in relation to current situations. The teachers on this course are experts in different fields of human rights law and contribute with different kinds of knowledge and experiences.
Can you tell us about your current research and how it integrates with the course you teach in the master's programme?
I am, currently working on three different projects, each in different stages of the process, which concerns human rights and constitutional law in different ways. One concerns the rights for victims of child pornography, that is coming to an end. I am also starting up a project concerning safety in Courts in relation to rule of law principles and access to safe and secure justice. Lastly, I am planning a project concerning the rights of secondary rights holder.
What is the best thing about teaching on this programme?
There are only positives with teaching in this programme, but the best part for me is meeting enthusiastic students from different countries that are eager to learn and discuss human rights issues.