DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU

Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2009 - 2010

Module Title International Human Rights Law
Module Code LG523A
School School of Law & Government

Online Module Resources

Level 1 Credit Rating 10
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Module Aims

To examine the history and development of the human rights discourse and movement, especially since 1945.

To investigate the legal framework of the United Nations and of regional systems with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights.

To consider human rights provisions, standards and violations as well as the remedies which are available under the current international and regional human rights systems.



Learning Outcomes

An appreciation of international human rights norms, standards and provisions.

A comprehension of national, regional and international systems of human rights law.

An understanding of specific aspects of Human Rights law, e.g. the rights of children, the rights of women etc.



Indicative Time Allowances
Hours
Lectures 24
Tutorials 0
Laboratories 0
Seminars 0
Independent Learning Time 126

Total 150
Placements
Assignments
NOTE
Assume that a 10 credit module load represents approximately 150 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Topic 1: Introduction to International Human Rights Law

Basic Introduction to IHRL

Historical Development of IHL

 

Topic 2: Sources of International Human Rights Law

Conventional and other sources of IHRL

Customary Law and Jus Cogens

 

 

Topic 3: The United Nations Charter System

UN Charter Provisions on HR

UN HR Charter Bodies

 

 

Topic 4: The United Nations Treaty System

UN HR Treaties

UN HR Treaty Bodies

 

Topic 5: Women''''''''''''''''s Rights

Analysis of CEDAW

Issues: Comfort Women, Female Genital Mutilation

 

Topic 6: The Rights of the Child

Analysis of CRT

Issues: Child Soldiers, Child Labour

 

Topic 7: The Rights of Minorities

The right to self-determination

What is a ''''''''''''''''minority''''''''''''''''?

 

Topic 8: Regional Systems

Regional Systems I: Europe - EU, Council of Europe

Regional Systems II: Other Regional Systems

 

Topic 9: Dealing with Violations of IHRL

Judicial and quasi-judicial options

Truth and Reconciliation Commissions, Amnesties

ICTY, ICTR, ICC

 

Topic 10: IHRL - An Appraisal

Challenges to IHRL regime

Effectiveness of IHRL

Assessment
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Indicative Reading List

Alston, P. (ed) The EU and Human Rights, 1999, Oxford: OUP.

Alston, P. (ed.) The Future of UN Human Rights Treaty Monitoring, 2000, Cambridge, New York: Cambridge University Press.

Alston, P. & Steiner, H. International Human Rights in Context, 2000, Oxford, New York: OUP.

Clapham, A., Human Rights Obligations of Non-State Actors, 2006, Oxford: OUP.

Baderin, M. International Human Rights and Islamic Law, 2005, Oxford: OUP.

Baderin, M. & McCorquodale, R. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Action, 2007, Oxford: OUP.

Brownlie, I. Basic Documents on Human Rights, 4th edition, 2002, Oxford: OUP.

Campbell, T. et al. Protecting Human Rights, 2003, Oxford: OUP.

Cassese, A. International Law, 2nd Edition, 2005, Oxford, New York: OUP.

Cassese, A. International Criminal Law, 2003, Oxford, New York: OUP.

Forsythe, D. Human Rights in International Relations, 2006, Cambridge: CUP.

Gready, P. ed., Fighting for Human Rights, 2004, London: Routledge.

Harris, D. The Inter-American System of Human Rights, 1998, Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Ishay, M. The History of Human Rights, 2004, Berkeley; University of California Press.

Joseph, S. et al. The ICCPR, 2nd ed. 2005, Oxford: OUP.

Mahoney, J. The Challenge of Human Rights, 2007, MA: Blackwell.

Marks, S. et al. International Human Rights Lexicon, 2005, Oxford: OUP.

Mower, A. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1997, Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press.

Mullally, S. Gender, Culture and Human Rights, 2006, Oxford: Hart.

Nickel, J. Making Sense of Human Rights, 2007, MA: Blackwell.

Provost, R. International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, 2002, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Ratner, S. Accountability for Human Rights Atrocities in International Law, 2001, Oxford; OUP.

Smith, R, The Essentials of Human Rights, 2005, Londn: Hodder Arnold.

Smith, R. Textbook on International Human Rights, 2005, Oxford: OUP.

Woodiwiss, A. Human Rights, 2005, London: Routledge.

 
Programme or List of Programmes
MIRMA in International Relations
Archives: