Does Scotland need human rights? Mobilising for change with civil society.
What will I learn from this course?
Human rights are central to our daily lives. Many people recognise their right to be respected and to receive dignifying treatment but would not understand that this was anchored in human rights. Similarly, they may have some understanding of what the United Nations do, or are familiar with UK legislation such as the Human Rights Act, but not understand what difference these structures and tools can make to everyday lives and communities. The distance between international frameworks and community issues may be so wide, that people fail to see the human rights violations happening in Scotland. Yet, 31% of all Scottish Households (estimated at 791,000) in 2023 experienced fuel poverty; 24% of children are locked in poverty (estimated at 240,000 children) and this directly impacts on their right to health, to education, and to economic security. This course is designed to enable students to develop a broader perspective and critical understanding of rights issues, to cultivate their appreciation of various viewpoints and responsibilities as global and local citizens, and to develop their problem-solving ability through lectures and discussion of the key human rights issues. We will engage critically with the Human Rights-Based Approach and PANEL principles to examine how change can be inclusive and participatory. The course topics include: (i) Interdisciplinary perspectives on poverty; (ii) Linking the UN to Scotland’s communities through PANEL; (iii) Imagining a Scotland where rights are realised; (iv) Building the evidence base to influence; (v) Mobilising for change: partnership building with civil society.
When will this course be available?
Semester 2, 2025
How many credits is this course?
10 credits
What is the course code?
The course code is SPS1010. More information on how to enrol can be found on the registration webpages.
How will I learn on this course?
The course is block taught over 5 weeks, and each week students will attend a 2-hour workshop which combines lecture content with interactive elements. In addition, a tutorial hour will be used for peer-led project work towards the assignment. Guidance will be given to help students structure this hour, but they will be expected to work without the direct support of a member of staff, thus developing leadership and autonomous learning skills.
How will I be supported academically on this course?
Content relating to human rights and poverty in Scotland will feature on the Moodle page. The reading list will feature a core reading that looks at evidence-generating strategies around human rights in Scotland and is itself an interdisciplinary piece:
Ferrie, J. & Hosie, A. (2018) Methodological challenges in developing an evidence base and realising rights. International Journal of Human Rights. Vol. 22 (1) doi: 10.1080/13642987.2017.1390300
There will be two main sources of support. A traditional office hour will be available to students who have any questions about the content of the course. Additionally, a 2 hour ‘surgery’ will be available in weeks 3, 4 and 5 to discuss the assignment inclusive of how to work in teams and how to prepare a poster that captures the principles of a funding bid for a civil society organisation.
What unique learning experiences will I have on this course?
You will work in teams to identify a challenge that falls within the themes of human rights, and challenging poverty in Scotland. You will be encouraged to consider your role within the challenge, drawing on broader disciplinary content and or skills. In week 2 each team will submit a 200-word outline of their challenge as a formative assessment. Strong examples will be shared with the entire class with the permission of team members. General formative feedback will also be provided to help students steer their team towards articulation of a challenge that links to human rights and poverty.
The first summative assignment is produced individually, drawing on team discussions. Each student submits a poster, with a word count of around 500 words plus images. Up to 20% of the poster’s content (in terms of word count or in terms of space if students wish to co-produce visualisations) can be shared within other team members. The remainder must be independent work. The poster should articulate the group’s shared challenge and outline the student (and by extension their discipline’s) contribution to shaping the problem and imagining solutions.
The second summative assignment is submitted at the same time. Reflexive engagement focusing on either: team-working; building an interdisciplinary solution; opportunities working with civil society. The reflexive piece should also be 500 words.
What skills will I learn on this course?
This course will support you to develop skills desired by employers including communication skills, team-working and problem solving. The inclusion of civil society will help you to think about ‘professional settings and solutions’. I co-set up one of the civil society organisations that I hope to work with and so the learning space will carefully bridge between ‘academic research’ and ‘activism’. The use of a poster will encourage students to consider non-academic forms of communication including ‘bite-size’ messaging, visualisations and design and this will align with the kinds of messaging common within non-academic sectors. You will also learn some budgeting skills.
How will I be assessed on this course?
|
Sequence |
Assessment type (drop down menu) |
Weighting (indicate % or Pass/Fail |
|
Formative |
200-word ‘challenge’ outline |
0% |
|
Summative – submitted within 2 weeks of course end date |
Poster that captures an imagined funding bid for a civil society organisation. 500 words plus images |
50% |
|
Summative – submitted with the poster |
Reflexive engagement focusing on either: team-working; building an interdisciplinary solution; opportunities working with civil society. 500 words |
50% |
Who is the course leader?
Professor Jo Edson Ferrie is leading this course.