Course Catalogue

Does Scotland need Human Rights? Mobilising for Change with Civil Society (C4L) SPS1010

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 1 (SCQF level 7)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: Yes

Short Description

Part of the Curriculum for Life programme, this course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the human rights-based approach, drawing from philosophical, legal and socio-political paradigms. With a focus on working with civil society and co-producing evidence, the course builds towards frameworks for generating solutions and influencing policy.

Timetable

Five 2 hour weekly workshops and 5 1 hour tutorials.

Requirements of Entry

None

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

There are two parts to the assignment, submitted at the same time and each worth 50%.

■ Poster plus reflective review: The poster should include imagery, and up to 500 words. Students will also submit a 500 word reflective essay.

■ Reflexive essay 500 words

. "Programme / course convenors and teaching staff will ensure that due consideration is given to students with disabilities, and that reasonable adjustments are implemented wherever possible, in consultation with relevant support services. 

 A Flexible Assessment approach will be applied, in line with Disability Service recommendations. This includes:  

■ Consideration of alternative assessment formats where appropriate (e.g., adaptations to oral assessments) 

■ Implementation of reasonable adjustments on a case-by-case basis

Course Aims

This course aims to be transgressive, that is, it encourages students to use learning as a space to practice power taking and this is achieved by looking at human rights and the human rights-based approach (HRBA). HRBA is a framework, helping students develop a solution-focused mindset that surfaces the 'change maker' and 'global citizen' characteristics (part of the C4L programme design). Working with invited speakers from civil society, and using a range of articles, websites, podcasts and project work co-produced with civil society, the course will focus on projects that seek to deliver urgent, real-world change. There are five skills developed explicitly in workshops and tutorials: Critical Thinking, Collaboration/Team-Building, Reflexivity, Evidence Building and Communication skills. C4L is the first programmatic response to Glasgow's sustainability agenda.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

1. Describe the key principles of a human rights-based approach, including its theoretical foundations and it's value as a global framework.  

2. Explain how evidence can be used to review Scotland's performance against human rights indicators.

3. Build team-working and communication skills in collaboration with peers and civil society partners, around human rights issues

4. Describe and apply the principles of a solution-focused approach to real-world situations.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions