International Law and Human Rights, 15 Credits

Contents

-    Basic public international law including theories and methods
-    the relation of human rights to general international law
-    the role of the United Nations for the protection of human rights
-    how human rights are protected in Europe
-    how human rights are understood and protected in other regions of the world
-    the role of non-governmental organizations for the protection of human rights
-    the international protection in certain fields like of women, children and refugees
-    protection of the environment as a third generation of human rights

Training of construction of legal argumentation of human rights law in written form and how to present it orally in human rights fora.

Expected learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student shall have
*    advanced knowledge of the position of  human rights in the context of general international law
*    advanced knowledge of global and regional systems for the protection of human rights
*    the ability to identify, analyse and argue a human right case in an international forum

Required Knowledge

Univ: At least 60 ECTS in one or more of the following subjects: law, political science, economic history, social and economic history or development studies or equivalent.

Form of instruction

The teaching consists of three blocks. The first block, comprises general public international law issues, and is taught via traditional lectures. The second block comprises human rights and is taught in the form of seminars by teachers and practitioners specialized in the different areas. The third block consists of the preparation by the students of their arguments or court decision presented in written and oral form during a fictitious dispute settlement procedure that ends the course.

Examination modes

Students are required to attend seminars and the fictitious dispute settlement procedure (moot court). The formal examination consists of 1) a written exam and 2) the written (approximately 5 pages)  and oral argumentations or court decision presented during the moot court. The latter part will award 0-3 credits (0= pass, 1= satisfactory, 2=good, 3= excellent) which will be added to the results of the written exam. Erasmus students not in Sweden at the time of the moot court may be exempted from the oral part. Grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G) and Pass with Distinction (VG)
When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher.
A written request should be handed in to the director of undergraduate studies.

Transfers
Students have the right to apply to have a previous education or experience evaluated for transfer of credits. For more information, see:
www.umu.se/studentcentrum/regler_riktlinjer/index.html