Module Identifier LA30620  
Module Title HUMAN RIGHTS - SUBSTANTIVE PROTECTION  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Professor Ryszard W Piotrowicz  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Ms Ann P Sherlock, Dr Catherine Dupre  
Course delivery Lecture   One two hour lecture and two one hour lectures per week  
  Seminars / Tutorials   Four two hour seminars  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours  66%
Semester Assessment Written Assignment of 2000 words (required in Week 12)  33%
Supplementary Exam By retaking the failed element (ie written assignment or examination or both if applicable)  100%
Professional Exemptions Not Required for Professional Purposes  

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an in depth knowledge of the substantive protections in the area of human rights both within the UK and in the international arena.
Analyse and critique the differences between and points of convergence of human rights and humanitarian provisions.
Analyse and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the existing legal provision and enforcement in the area of rights, both nationally and internationally.
Explain and analyse the interaction between national and international provision.
Explain and analyse the interaction between human rights and government policy and the shaping of new laws.
Identify problems in the provision of human rights and suggest possible solutions.
Demonstrate both knowledge of and a real understanding of both national and international materials by proving able to critique and analyse these legal materials.
Demonstrate both knowledge of and a real understanding of policy initiatives in the area of human rights and humanitarian law by proving able to critique and analyse these initiatives.

In addition to these intellectual skills, students will be able to demonstrate:
Enhanced capacity for independent and critical thought.
Good time-management skills in preparing for seminars and submitting work on time.
The ability to carry out independent research for which credit will be given in the assessments
Locating and using relevant hard copy and electronic sources seminars will require preparation using material from websites.
Ability to work in groups.

Brief description

The module will concentrate on a detailed discussion of the important principal rights protected by human rights instruments, both under 'normal' human rights law and international humanitarian law. It will take account of, and give appropriate weight to, issues such as the dramatic developments in international humanitarian law whilst still covering the more important basic human rights provided for in international instruments. Some time will be spent on an examination of the UK Human Rights Act, although this will not form the central focus of the course.

Aims

To encourage students to pursue independent research as well as critical analysis of human rights materials. The intention will be to illustrate the very different intellectual skills used by lawyers in the application of human rights and humanitarian legal provisions.
The course aims to develop transferable skills such as research, analysis, critical evaluation which are valuable in many professional contexts. In addition to these it will equip future lawyers with the increasingly necessary ability to recognise and effectively deal with human rights issues in all areas of the law.
To equip students with in depth knowledge of both international human rights and humanitarian law.

Content

The course will consider:

- Protection and enforcement of Human rights during armed conflicts.

- Protection of basic rights under international human rights instruments. there will be a focus on specific rights, for example, right to privacy, freedom of expression, liberty of person.

- Incorporation of basic rights into UK law.

Reading Lists

Books
** Recommended Text
R Wallace (2001) International Human Rights: Texts & Materials 2nd. Sweet & Maxwell
D Feldman (2001) Civil Liberties & Human Rights 2nd. Clarendon Press
E Shorts & C de Than (2001) Human Rights Law in the United Kingdom Sweet & Maxwell
H Fenwick (2002) Civil Liberties & Human Rights 3rd. Cavendish
R Wallace (1997) International Human Rights: Texts & Materials Sweet & Maxwell
K Starmer (1999) European Human Rights Law Legal Action Group
R Smith (2001) Textbook on International Human rights
M Sassoli and A Bourier (1999) How does law protect in war?: Cases, documents and teaching material on contemporary practice in International Humanitarian Law
H J Steiner & P Alston (2000) International Human Rights in Context Oxford University Press
** Supplementary Text
Houen, F.Kals Constraints on the Waging of War Kluwer-Nijhoff,U.S. 898389240
Schabas, William A. Genocide in International Law Camb.U.P. 521787904
Sassoli, M and Bouvier, A How does law protect in war? : International Committee of the Red Cross, 2881451101
Cassese, Antonio International Criminal Law Oxf.U.P. 199259119
Bantekas, Ilias. International criminal law / Cavendish, 1859417760
Kittichaisaree, Kriangsak, International criminal law / Oxford University Press, 198765770
Provost, Rene International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Camb.U.P. 521806976
Moir, Lindsay, The law of internal armed conflict / Cambridge University Press, 521772168

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6