LWMHRL-Human Rights Law, Policy, and Practice

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Steve Samuel
Email: s.samuel@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to foundational human rights concepts, principles, institutions, challenges, as well as developments. Specifically, it considers the existence and nature of different types of human rights (civil, political, economic, social, and cultural), as well as different categories of rights (absolute, limited, and qualified). These are illustrated through the examination of different ‘hard’ law human rights instruments, particularly the International Civil and Political Rights 1966, and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 as well as diverse ‘soft’ law and policy instruments (eg the UN Declaration of HumanÌý Rights 1948, the treaty bodies, and independent experts). The module examines examples of different types of rights, particularly those that are most commonly violated in such contexts as responding to security threats or emergency situations (eg the right to life, prohibition against torture, denial of liberty). Similarly, it considers significant challenges associated with the realisation of other human rights, notably resource challenges for poorer states seeking the ‘progressive realisation’ of rights such as food, water, shelter, and adequate healthcare. It examines too a number of currently topical and emerging issues, for example in relation to third generation rights, global capitalism, and disasters.

Aims:

The overarching aim of the module is to equip students with the necessary foundational insights, knowledge, and understanding of human rights concepts, principles, actors and institutions. In addition to the importance of these in their own right, comprehension of such concepts, principles, related actors and institutions will further inform students in relation to issues examined by other modules of the programme, many of which draw from different aspects of human rights law, policy, and practice. In doing so, this module is also intended to give students a solid understanding of what human rights are, of challenges associated with translating theory into practice, and the relevance as well as role of foundational human rights principles within the context of other global initiatives and developments.Ìý

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Assessable learning outcomes:

On completion of the module, students will be expected to be able to: • Identify, understand, and explain key human rights concepts, principles, actors and institutions, including the relationship between them. • Identify, understand, and explain different types as well as categories for human rights. • Understand and explain the role and effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms within the UN human rights system. • Identify and critically assess common challenges associated with translating human rights principles and policies into practice, including different forms of human rights violations and the reasons for them. • Understand and explain how human rights operate, and may be suspended, in a range of crisis and emergency situations including armed conflict and different types of disasters. • Examine and critically assess the role of human rights in informing and developing other global initiatives, such as in relation to sustainable development goals and disaster management/disaster risk reduction objectives.

Please note that not all assessable learning outcomes will apply to all assessments. Whilst some are generic, others will only be relevant to specific topics and will depend on the assessment title selected.

Additional outcomes:

In addition to those listed in the School's 'core skills statement', the module will encourage the development of: Autonomy with regard to reflective critical analysis and debate of the legal and policy topics examined; high-level oral and written communication skills through reflective, analytical class discussion and debate and written assessments; advanced critical reading skills in relation to primary and/or secondary sources; and independent research skills.

These outcomes are in addition to those listed in the School's ‘core skills statement’.

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