Course Catalogue

Contemporary Issues in European Human Rights Law LAW4164

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Law
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

The incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law by virtue of the Scotland Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998 provides a relevant justification for this course as does Committee of Ministers Recommendation Rec (2004) 4. We will examine critically key aspects of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the work of other monitoring bodies of the Council of Europe.

Timetable

10 2-hour seminars.

Requirements of Entry

This course is only available to LLB students.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Group essay (35%); individual problem-based assignment (drafting a judgment) (65%).

Course Aims

This course aims to develop an understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights and related European human rights monitoring bodies; and also certain 'transferable' or 'key' skills in students: ie, communication, problem-solving, working with others, improving one's own learning and performance, and IT.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

■ understand the enforcement machinery under the European Convention of Human Rights

■ critically evaluate key jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and

■ gain an awareness of other Council of Europe instruments in the field of human rights including the Torture Convention, European Social Charter, and Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities

■ use the law library and IT to research primary and secondary sources in human rights (including the effective use of computers for advanced research

■ present both oral and written legal arguments on matters concerning human rights

■ take responsibility for their own learning, (including access to IT databases), (that is, to manage the development of own learning by managing time and tasks, learning both independently and with others, using library research skills, and assessing individual performance)

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions