International Law and Human Rights (Juristprogrammet), 15 credits

Contents

The aim of this course is to analyze the status of human rights in an international context. The protection of human rights through international conventions will be discussed, together with a critical analysis of the discourse of rights. Two specific aspect will be to problematize; the universality of human rights and the individual’s interest contra certain group interests.

Basic public international law including theories and methods
the relation of human rights to general international law
the role of national states, global and regional organizations for the protection of human rights
the role of non-governmental organizations for the protection of human rights
the international protection in certain fields like of women, children, refugees and protection of the environment as a third generation of human rights.

All aspects of this course, including the examination, are conducted in English.
 

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student shall have

advanced knowledge of the position of human rights in the context of general international law
advanced knowledge of global and regional systems for the protection of human rights.
 

Required Knowledge

Univ: 120 university credits from the Law Programme.

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of general public international law issues, and is taught via traditional lectures. It also consists of specialized human rights in the different areas and is taught in the form of seminars by teachers and practitioners. All seminars are mandatory.  A student who has been accepted and registered for the course has the right to teaching and guidance only during the term/academic year when he/she was accepted and registered.
 

Examination modes

Examination takes place through fulfillment of two parts, partly the compulsory course elements specified in component 1 below, partly writing a final test specified in component 2 below.

Component 1
Active participation during compulsory seminars.

Component 2
Fulfillment of an individual written home exam at the end of the course.

Grades
A passing grade on the activities under components 1-2 above are required to receive a passing grade for the course as a whole. For component 1 the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) can be awarded. On the written test the grades awarded are Fail (U), Pass (B), Pass not without distinction (Ba), Pass with distinction (AB).

On the entire course, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (B), Pass without distinction (Ba), Pass with distinction (AB). The grade for the course as a whole is based on the result of the written test and awarded after the completion of all compulsory course elements.

The appointed examiner may decide to use other forms of examination if required by particular circumstances. A student who has not received a passing grade on a test will be afforded an opportunity for re-examination. A student who has passed examination may not be re-examined. A student who has taken two tests for a course or segment of a course, without passing, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless special reasons exist. A written request for change of examiner is submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Education.

Students who have participated in but failed a test, including essays, seminars, written and oral assignments et cetera, but not including the final written, take home or oral test of the course, have the right to do a make-up assignment in order to reach the grade Pass (but not higher grades). The student may still achieve a higher grade than Pass on the course overall, if all requirements for the grade in question are fulfilled. The make-up assignment must be completed no later than two months after the student learned of the failed grade and using the same form of examination.

Academic credit transfer
Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see: www.umu.se/utbildning/antagning/tillgodoraknande