Module Descriptors
HUMAN RIGHTS: POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES
LAWS60900
Key Facts
Faculty of Business, Education and Law
Level 6
15 credits
Contact
Leader:
Email:
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 27
Independent Study Hours: 123
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
  • ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Indicative Content
Human rights are politically controversial. This module is designed to build on the understanding students have developed in Human Rights: Foundation, and introduce them to the areas of contemporary debate around human rights, areas which highlight the real dilemmas concerning human rights, and thereby deepen the students' understanding.

The module addresses, inter alia, the following topics:
Human rights and asylum and refugee issues
Human rights and terrorism
Human rights and emergency powers
Human rights and miscarriages of justice

Other topics, such as immigration, travellers' rights, state security, may also be considered, dependent on topicality and availability of appropriate study materials
Module Learning Strategies
Whole Group Sessions
A framework of 2 hour weekly sessions, used flexibly as lectures to provide students with an overview of the subject topics, and to promote discussion which can be further developed through tutorials, IT supported learning materials and independent reading [11 weeks x 2hours = 22 hours]

Small Group Sessions
Working both independently and collaboratively, students will prepare selected topics for discussion as notified in materials accompanying whole group sessions. These sessions will encourage participation in a variety of ways, for example, as part of the general group, as an individual presenting a paper and as part of teams of varying sizes. The sessions will develop problem-answering skills and encourage critical evaluation. [5 weeks x 1 hour = 5 hours]

Directed Study and independent learning
This will consist of study to consolidate and develop understanding of aspects of doctrine and theory introduced in whole group sessions, research and preparation for participation in discussion in small group sessions, independent learning of one specified topic, research and preparation for the examination.

Skills - as indicated above, knowledge, intellectual skills, communication skills and problem solving skills are promoted and developed by the combination of activities involved in pursuit of the learning strategies. Additionally, development of skills of enquiry is encouraged by the inclusion of research topics in the preparation required for small group sessions, and in the research required to be undertaken in the independent learning topic.

[123 hours]

TOTAL LEARNING TIME 150 hours
Module Additional Assessment Details
1 x 3,000 word coursework assignment - 100%. Assessing all learning outcomes
Module Texts
Douzinas, Costas The End of Human Rights (Hart Publishing, 2000)
Fenwick, Helen Civil Liberties and Human Rights (Cavendish Publishing, 3rd ed., 2002)
Module Resources
Well stocked Law library
Internet resources
Appropriate texts, legislation and case law
Module Special Admissions Requirements
Any Level 1 Law Module