Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course will investigate the features of contemporary international human rights regimes and explore the political and practical issues that accompany the implementation of human rights norms. It will focus on the international and domestic politics of human rights, considering in particular newer human rights in the Global South.

This course may not be running this year. For further information please check the Politics and IR Moodle page or contact the subject directly.

Entry to Honours Politics or International Relations requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

None

None

Essay, 2,500 words (50%)

Case study report, 2,000 words (50%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below

The aims of this course are to: 1) examine key theories and concepts relating to human rights and their implementation; 2) assess the political and practical implications of human rights implementation and compliance in a range of international and domestic contexts; 3) appreciate the complexities, dilemmas and contestation around human rights implementation, particularly for newer areas of rights; 4) understand the role of various states and non-state actors involved in these processes; and 5) explore challenges facing the contemporary human rights regimes.

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

■ Demonstrate a thorough understanding of human rights frameworks and challenges linked to their implementation in specific contexts

■ Analyse the central issues and problems in modern international human rights debates from the perspective of politics and practice

■ Assess the role of a wide variety of actors in human rights - including individuals, states, and international organisations

■ Develop independent learning strategies and effective research and communication skills, showing the ability to promote critical thinking

■ Advance reasoned and factually supported arguments

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.