LLM in Human Rights Law

Theory of Human Rights

You’ll learn about the foundations and principles that underpin the theory and practice of human rights. You’ll trace how human rights have evolved over time and explore their philosophical foundations. By examining current debates in domestic and international law, you’ll also understand their contemporary legal and political meaning and use. The module will include critical and non-western perspectives on contemporary human rights.

International Human Rights Systems

In this introduction to international human rights law, you’ll learn about the institutions and mechanisms that protect human rights. Throughout the module, you’ll critically examine arguments and ideas about human rights. By examining the relevant law, contemporary debates and case studies, you’ll get to grips with the philosophical underpinnings of human rights and their contemporary legal and political meaning.

Law and Practice of Human Rights

You’ll use wide-ranging case studies to examine international human rights law. The case studies could cover areas such as children’s rights, environmental rights, self-determination and human rights in wartime. Using primary documents, case law and academic commentary, you’ll examine each topic from a practical perspective, underpinned by theory and principles.

Advanced Legal Research Methods

You’ll hone the research and writing skills needed to carry out legal research at an advanced level. These include research design, searching for relevant sources and materials, legal referencing and citation skills. You’ll think about the process of writing, as well as the end product, including presenting findings to different audiences. You’ll consider the distinctive features of legal research and approaches and research methodologies you might use. The work you do in this module gives you excellent preparation for your dissertation.

Inequality, Diversity and Human Rights

Human rights have a complicated relationship with equality and the legal reaction to diversity. Sometimes human rights and equality seem to work hand in hand – as the creation of a single Equality and Human Rights Commission in England and Wales suggests. They can also be seen as in conflict. For example, the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) allows burqa bans. From different perspectives, this could be seen as upholding women’s rights or as limiting freedom of religious expression.

You’ll explore the relationship between human rights, equality and diversity. You’ll then focus on two important contemporary areas – EU equality law, and the religious liberty jurisprudence of the ECHR. Understanding these regional regimes gives you a key to understanding the broader issues in other national and international contexts.

Principles of International Law

You’ll get to grips with the fundamentals of international law in this key module. You’ll study the law and legal framework governing the international community, and examine the philosophical basis of international law. This will include:

• the nature, origins and basis of international law
• the main sources of international law – including the importance of customs, treaties, general legal principles and international case precedents 
• the basic rights and obligations of international actors – such as state responsibility, governmental obligations not to interfere with others, immunities and jurisdictional powers.

You’ll also study the International Court of Justice and its role in settling international disputes. Throughout the module, we’ll use case studies and group exercises to enhance your learning experience.

International Criminal Law

The International Criminal Court deals with serious crimes under international law – genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and acts of aggression. In this module, you’ll learn how international criminal law has developed since the ICC was set up.

You’ll examine actual cases in depth, drawing on the experiences of the Yugoslavia and Rwandan Criminal Tribunals. You’ll explore the degree to which the new court will be bound by such decisions. You’ll also examine the notion of individual responsibility and the issue of universal jurisdiction – the idea that a national court may prosecute individuals for crimes against international law.

International Refugees and Migrants

You’ll gain an understanding of the issues and debates surrounding nationality and forced and economic migration, while learning about the relevant International and European law. You’ll critically assess existing laws of nationality and migration, and build your knowledge of issues in human trafficking, globalisation and development. 

Part of your work for the module will involve writing an essay on a topic you choose, allowing you to research an area of particular interest. You’ll practise your research skills and deepen your subject knowledge.

War Law

You’ll develop your legal and analytical skills in this module, which promotes human rights and humanitarian law and values. You’ll learn about the international norms and institutions that support humanitarian principles in conflict situations. In particular you’ll look at: 

• the use of force (jus ad bellum)
• the law of armed conflict or international humanitarian law (jus in bello)
• transitional justice (jus post bellum). 

We’ll encourage you to take part in high quality discussion and research in this field.

International Intellectual Property Law

In this module you’ll gain a grounding in the theory and basic concepts of intellectual property law, including patents, copyright, and trademarks. You’ll explore the international law that regulates them, particularly the TRIPS Agreement. You’ll go on to look at areas of current controversy. These could include: 

• the relationship between patents and traditional knowledge
• the challenge of biotechnology
• the emerging protection of personality rights (an individual’s right to control the use of their identity)
• the problem of patenting pharmaceuticals and protecting the needs of developing countries.

Independent Study

This is your chance to carry out independent research on a law topic of your choice, in consultation with your module leader. You’ll strengthen your skills in carrying out legal research and presenting your findings and arguments.