Human Rights in the International Context, 30 credits

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:

• identify and clarify legal issues, within the framework of human rights, in the examination of the problem by reading and specifying the issues of a legal nature that the problem arises from,
• identify and apply relevant international and regional sources of human rights law in the context of given problems related to the jurisprudence of the international law system,
• describe global and regional mechanisms for reviewing and enforcing human rights by describing their function in terms of applicable law,
• identify and describe the extent of liability for human rights violations based on applicable law,
• compile and report, within given time frames and with correct formalities, a legal paper on the application and incorporation of relevant human rights based on applicable law,
• critically and independently analyze and discuss the scope of individual rights as well as shortcomings and advantages in the prevailing systems and norms,
• apply critical perspectives on prevailing norms in human rights by giving examples and explaining relevant issues in relation to selected issues,
• conduct a critical dialogue so that different positions are presented in relation to human rights and global and national balancing between several legitimate interests / rights, and
• construct a written submission and oral arguments in relation to a legal process.

Main content of the course

The course addresses selected parts of international law and its protection of human rights (within 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 analyzed in detail. The protection of some groups, such as children and refugees are examined as well as the challenges of the current system of human rights, such as conflicting rights and other international obligations, are also addressed. Throughout the course, the responsibility of states and international organizations for human rights violations as well as monitoring mechanisms to protect human rights and other international procedures used in such violations are discussed. Finally, a mock trial is carried out where the focus is on legal argumentation and petition within the framework of human rights.

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

Paper, 4.5 credits (Code: A010)
Paper which is presented both in writing and orally.
If a student does not achieve a passing grade, but with a limited effort is judged to be able to achieve it, the student can complete the paper in accordance with the examiner's instructions. The supplement must be completed within two weeks of the student being assigned the instruction.

Seminars, 3 credits (Code: A011)
Examination through attendance and active participation in specified seminars where the preparation includes written assignments.

Written Examination, 13.5 credits (Code: A012)
Written Examination.

Moot Court, 9 credits (Code: A013)
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).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. 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 grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Paper
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Seminars
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Written Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Moot Court
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

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

Comments on grades

The course grade will be a weighted average of all examinations’ grades.

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

Parts of the course are given in English.

Examinations consisting of group assignments where the student is not present or where the student fails and completion is not possible, can be re-examined if the conditions for a re-examination exist. Otherwise, the student is referred to the next time the course is given.

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

Required Reading

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

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

The literature is read in the latest edition.
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.