Course syllabus

Human Rights in the International Context, 30 credits

Course code: RV400G Credits: 30
Main field of study: Law Progression: G2F
    Last revised: 24/10/2019
Education cycle: First cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 18/06/2015 Reading list approved: 13/09/2019
Valid from: Spring semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for first cycle education

First-cycle courses and study programmes shall develop:

  • the ability of students to make independent and critical assessments
  • the ability of students to identify, formulate and solve problems autonomously, and
  • the preparedness of students to deal with changes in working life.

In addition to knowledge and skills in their field of study, students shall develop the ability to:

  • gather and interpret information at a scholarly level
  • stay abreast of the development of knowledge, and
  • communicate their knowledge to others, including those who lack specialist knowledge in the field.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 8)

Course objectives

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

  • explain international treaties on Human Rights and global mechanisms for the protection of Human Rights
  • describe the function of regional systems for Human Rights, with an emphasis on the European systems
  • summarize the rules regarding the protection of vulnerable groups, such as children, refugees and indigenous peoples
  • master the interpretation and application of different kinds of rights, such as the Prohibition against Torture, Freedom of Expression and economic and social rights
  • apply a critical perspective to established norms within the field of Human Rights, such as gender issues
  • distinguish the extent of which states have an internal and/or external responsibility concerning the violation of Human Rights and the responsibilities of international organisations
  • discuss global and national balancing acts between several legitimate interests and/or rights

After completing the course the student shall, in relationship with this knowledge, be able to:

  • practically apply international and regional treaties in the area of Human Rights
  • independently identify and formulate relevant problem questions in relation to Human Rights
  • analyse the extent of individual rights and the extent of the responsibility of states and international organisations
  • show proficiency in oral and written argumentation and presentation through, for example, simulated exercises in front of Human Rights institutions such as the European Court of Human Rights
  • independently analyse detrimental and beneficial aspects of the current systems and norms in a critical manner

Main content of the course

Sub-course 1 addresses selected parts of international law and its protection of Human Rights (global and regional legal frameworks). The European Convention of Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights is addressed in depth. Other rights, such as political, economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as the rights of citizens are introduced during the course and some are examined in particular detail. The protection of some groups, such as children and refugees are touched upon. The challenges for the current system of Human Rights, such as conflicting rights and other international obligations, are also addressed. Throughout the course, the responsibility of the states and international organisations regarding the violation of Human Rights are addressed. This includes surveillance mechanisms for the protection of Human Rights and other international procedures which are utilised in the case of such violations.

Sub-course 2 contains a moot court with oral and written exercises.

Teaching methods

This course is taught in English and in the format of lectures, seminars and other exercises. A significant amount of the course is devoted to independent studies and group work, according to teachers’ instructions. A heavy emphasis is placed on oral and written argumentation and presentation and that a moot court is completed.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Human Rights - Paper, 4.5 credits (Code: A001)
Paper presented in both an oral and written form.

Human Rights - Seminars, 3 credits (Code: A002)
Examination through attendance and active participation in specified seminars.

Human Rights - Written Examination, 13.5 credits (Code: A003)
Written examination.

Moot Court, 9 credits (Code: B001)
Examination through an oral and written presentation.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2019-01-15, ORU 2019/00107), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Human Rights - Paper
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Human Rights - Seminars
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Human Rights - Written Examination
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Moot Court
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

Grades for the whole course:
The examination results from the different sub-courses are added together to form the basis for the final grade for the course as a whole. The maximum amount of points the student may obtain on the whole course is 100 points: 70 points in sub-course 1 and 30 points in sub-course 2. For the final grade of “Pass” for the course as a whole, a student must obtain at least a Pass grade for both sub-courses. For the final grade “Pass with Distinction” at least 75 points are required, of which at least 46 points must be obtained in sub-course 1 and at least 19 points obtained in sub-course 2.

Specific entry requirements

Basic Course in Law, 30 ECTS credits and Law Intermediate Course 30 ECTS credits.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

This course is part of the Legal Science Programme with International Approach and can therefore not be applied for as an elective course

Transitional provisions

A written examination for a course which has been discontinued or substantially changed in its content or its extent can be made at three occasions within 12 to 18 months after the alteration has taken place.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Sub-course 1: Required Reading

Leach, Philip (latest edition)
Taking a Case to the European Court of Human Rights
Oxford University Press, 619 pages

Moeckli, Daniel, Shah, Sangeeta & Sivakumaran, Sandesh (latest edition)
International Human Rights Law
Oxford University Press, 704 pages

Sub-course 2: Required Reading

Leach, Philip (senaste upplagan)
Taking a Case to the European Court of Human Rights
Oxford University Press, 619 sidor

Additions and Comments on the Reading List
Additional materials, such as articles and case law (of approximately 300 pages) are also part of the required reading, these are announced at the beginning of the course.