Semester 1 is focused on providing students with an understanding of the theoretical basis, institutional context and procedural practicalities essential as a foundation to any further study of substantive human rights. The module is also a self-sufficient introduction to the field of human rights.
Three main fields of enquiry:
1. The theoretical contexts in which 'rights talk' makes sense. Natural rights, civil liberties, human rights. Common law and continental approaches. Historical contexts.
2. The institutional contexts of human rights. Separation of powers and limited government. Constitutions and courts.

The procedural practicalities of human rights. The European Convention on Human Rights, and its enforcement mechanism, the European Court of Human Rights. Convention rights in UK law, the Human Rights Act 1998. Margin of appreciation, derogation, incompatibility, discrimination
Semester 2 is focused on International Criminal Law. It involves the study of the most serious offences committed by human beings against others. It is necessary to understand where these concepts originate from. The context in which and the historical background to the development of these offences. How they are relevant today, and how and where are the 'laws' applied. Specifically students will examine:

1. The development of international criminal law
2. The Law of Genocide
3. Crimes Against Humanity Semester 2

MODULE LEARNING STRATEGY - this is based around students committing to a total of 300 hours of activities towards achieving the learning outcomes. These are split between 72 hours of direct contact with a tutor and 228 hours of directed, guided and self-study, together with preparation for and completion of assessment tasks. A blend of teaching methods will be used, facilitating different styles of learning. These will also provide a platform for the development of essential skills including intellectual skills, communication, problem-solving, research, teamwork, negotiation, presentation, and the effective use of IT. Activities will be supported by guided learning and independent learning/enquiry.

WHOLE GROUP/LECTURE SESSIONS – these will be used to introduce new topics in the programme and to provide opportunities for shared learning experiences for all cohort participants, assisted by buzz sessions, and problem and practice-based tasks and activities. New topics and themes introduced in these sessions will be developed further in small-group/workshop sessions

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS/WORKSHOPS – these comprise learning activities organised around topics and themes which will have been introduced in the whole-group/lecture sessions. Participants undertake preparatory directed study and research, assisted by on-line systems like Lexis Library, Practical Law, and Westlaw. Workshops include exercises in which participants engage in ‘client’ and adviser role plays, discuss and draft pre-review formal complaints based on scenarios and case studies, and engage in other problem-based exercises. An emphasis is on student interaction, team-working, and demonstration of knowledge, and the application of knowledge. Post-workshop reflective work is a further feature (with opportunities to undertake follow-up study or collaborative learning activities).
Participants are expected to prepare for workshops effectively, and to maintain a journal recording their work, including their preparation for, and contribution to, the workshops


GUIDED LEARNING & INDEPENDENT STUDY/ENQUIRY - guided learning work will comprise a mix of activities, some of which will require group work, completion of pre-sessional tasks, and use of on-line systems and resources. Learning will be facilitated by use of the VLE platform and interactions between students and tutors. Besides guided learning tasks, other study will take the form of pre-sessional enquiry linked to specific tasks, post-sessional reflective work, and preparatory work linked to assessment tasks. Independent, self-managed enquiry is an important feature of the programme, including enquiry in pursuit of particular interests. It is expected that around 50 hours will be devoted to the completion of assessment tasks. Students are expected to be familiar with current issues and debates on administrative justice and human rights issues. Debate on these is assisted by the facility of student contributions to the ‘Topical Issues & New Developments’ section of the module’s Blackboard site


Total Learning - 300 Hours

Coursework - Assignment 2500 words weighted at 50%. Examination - 2 hour written exam weighted at 50%.

Semester 1
2500 word coursework assignment assessing learning outcomes 3, 4.

Semester 2
2 hour written exam assessing learning outcomes 1, 2.

Well stocked Law library
Internet resources
Appropriate texts, legislation and case law

Douzinas, Costas The End of Human Rights (Hart Publishing, 2000)
Fenwick, Helen Civil Liberties and Human Rights (Cavendish Publishing, 3rd ed., 2002)
Steiner & Alston, International Human Rights in Context, Oxford 2008
Cassese, International Criminal Law, Oxford 2008
Batekas & Nash, International Criminal Law, Cavendish 2003
De Than & Shorts, International Criminal Law & Human Rights, Sweet & Maxwell, 2004
Kittichaisaree, International Criminal Law, Oxford 2005

1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING OF THE EFFORTS MADE DURING THE LAST CENTURY TO PROMOTE LASTING PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE WORLD
Knowledge & Understanding
Learning

2. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO CRITICALLY EVALUATE, ANALYZE AND REFLECT UPON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LAWS AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ESTABLISH EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FROM OPPRESSION AND EXPLOITATION
Application
Knowledge & Understanding
Analysis

3. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO ANALYZE, ENQUIRE INTO AND REFLECT UPON COMPLEX LEGAL, GEO-POLITICAL, ETHICAL AND MORAL ISSUES WITH A VIEW TO SUGGESTING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Enquiry
Communication
Problem-solving
Reflection

4. DEMONSTRATE AN ABILITY TO RESEARCH AND ENQUIRE INTO A GIVEN TOPIC USING TRADITIONAL & ELECTRONIC SOURCES. ANALYZE AND SYNTHESIZE THE RESULTS TO FORMULATE CONCLUSIONS Analysis
Communication
Enquiry