The principle purpose of the Colloquium is to provide the core interdisciplinary component for all of our Masters degrees. The content is intended to provide a first-class education on the foundational principles of human rights, upon the different perspectives and methodologies employed by key academic disciplines in their approaches to human rights and to enable an in-depth analysis of a selection of outstandingly important issues and debates within the theory and practice of human rights. The comprehensive range of the syllabus is reflected in the teaching staff engaged upon the Colloquium, who reflect the inter and multi-disciplinary approaches to human rights and are, in most cases, internationally recognised authorities upon the subjects they will teach. The Colloquium extends across twenty teaching weeks and is divided into three main parts: theoretical bases of human rights principles; applications of human rights principles; and contemporary issues and debates in the implementation and practice of human rights. On successfully completing the Colloquium students will:
Have gained an understanding of the principal theoretical foundations of human rights
Have gained an understanding of the controversial basis and content of the practice and application of specific human rights instruments
Be able to critically evaluate specific human rights claims, utilising different theoretical perspectives from several academic disciplines
Be cognizant of some of the principal issues surrounding the practice and implementation of various human rights
Have acquired the methodological skills required for independent research in the study of human rights
Have gained an understanding of the principal theoretical foundations of human rights
Have gained an understanding of the controversial basis and content of the practice and application of specific human rights instruments
Be able to critically evaluate specific human rights claims, utilising different theoretical perspectives from several academic disciplines
Be cognizant of some of the principal issues surrounding the practice and implementation of various human rights
Have acquired the methodological skills required for independent research in the study of human rights
This module is concerned with the practice of human rights, and is linked to the Human Rights Centre Clinic. It will develop students' ability to critically evaluate - and effectively engage with - some of the principal forums available to human rights practitioners, as well as providing students with the skill set necessary to work as human rights professionals.
The module focuses on human rights advocacy. It begins by looking at how theory and practice of human rights interact, from a critical standpoint. We will examine how major critiques of human rights discourse affect the way in which we transform theory into practice. We then go on to look at domestic and international strategies for making use of international human rights law. The module then turns to examining specific advocacy routes, including making use of the UN Human Rights Council, Special Procedures and Treaty Monitoring Bodies. Specific advocacy tools are then examined, including evidence gathering (interviewing skills and documentation preservation), strategic litigation and assessing the impact of advocacy projects. The module finishes by bringing together all the material studied during the term to look at how we formulate advocacy strategies.
The module is open only to students who have been admitted to the Human Rights Centre Clinic. Please refer to the HRC Clinic page to find out how to apply by going onto this link: https://www1.essex.ac.uk/hrc/careers/clinic/default.aspx
The module focuses on human rights advocacy. It begins by looking at how theory and practice of human rights interact, from a critical standpoint. We will examine how major critiques of human rights discourse affect the way in which we transform theory into practice. We then go on to look at domestic and international strategies for making use of international human rights law. The module then turns to examining specific advocacy routes, including making use of the UN Human Rights Council, Special Procedures and Treaty Monitoring Bodies. Specific advocacy tools are then examined, including evidence gathering (interviewing skills and documentation preservation), strategic litigation and assessing the impact of advocacy projects. The module finishes by bringing together all the material studied during the term to look at how we formulate advocacy strategies.
The module is open only to students who have been admitted to the Human Rights Centre Clinic. Please refer to the HRC Clinic page to find out how to apply by going onto this link: https://www1.essex.ac.uk/hrc/careers/clinic/default.aspx
This module will provide students with an opportunity to examine contemporary issues and debates in an important and highly topical area of interest for human rights theory and practice. The approach taken will be broadly multi-disciplinary. We will focus upon a broad and detailed range of controversial and challenging questions for protecting human rights within a globally complex world. The module combines the examination of the conceptual context and the practical application of human rights within culturally complex circumstances. Students will study the philosophical basis of human rights claims combined with the legal framework for applying human rights amidst cultural and religious conflict. Specifically, students will then study specific applications of human rights including the rights of indigenous peoples, the rights of women, language rights, controversies surrounding hate speech and cultural toleration.
The Asia-Pacific is the largest and most diverse region in the world, literally covering an area from the Turkish border to the far reaches of the Pacific. Much of West Asia is now covered by the Arab Charter of Human Rights, and Russia is covered by the European system. For the purpose of this module, the focus is mainly on South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia and the Pacific on a variety of human rights challenges not limited to these sub-regions, including ongoing armed conflict and violence, great disparities of wealth amid economic growth, discrimination against vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, and fragile democratic institutions. In addition to the challenges, this module also draws attention to the prospects such as the establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in some countries and their roles in the region the recent development of Human Rights Mechanisms by ASEAN as well as the ever growing force of a vibrant civil society in the region.
This module will provide students with an opportunity to examine issues and debates pertaining to human rights in the Asia-Pacific. The approach taken will be broadly inter-disciplinary.
This module will provide students with an opportunity to examine issues and debates pertaining to human rights in the Asia-Pacific. The approach taken will be broadly inter-disciplinary.
Indigenous peoples are relative newcomers to the international arena. Yet in the two decades or so in which they have been active they have negotiated a United Nations Declaration that recognizes their rights to self determination and to own and control their lands and resources. They have lobbied for the establishment of three high level UN mechanisms to promote their interests and have used these international forums to put pressure on their governments and give visibility to their struggle to survive as distinct cultures. Apart from their achievements internationally and to some extent nationally, indigenous peoples are promoting alternative visions in various areas such as development, environmental management, law and justice or decision making.
The proposed course will provide students with an overview of developments in international human rights and policy as they relate to indigenous peoples. It will help students understand the notions of collective rights, self determination, land rights and the principle of free, prior and informed consent as they apply to indigenous peoples. It will look in detail at key issues including indigenous peoples and development showing both the extent to which this group is excluded from most national strategies to combat poverty and how indigenous peoples understand development and well-being. The course will look at how indigenous peoples are seeking to protect their cultural expressions and traditional knowledge as well consider indigenous peoples perspectives as they relate to environmental management, the maintenance of biodiversity and the challenge of climate change.
Students will have an opportunity to learn about the work of relevant inter governmental organizations such as the ILO, UNESCO, the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity, WIPO, UNDP and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Bank and others as well as regional bodies including the Inter American Court of Human Rights, Inter-American Development Bank or the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. A small number of non governmental organizations have been actively supporting indigenous peoples struggles over many years and student will be given an opportunity to draw on the extensive experience and documentation they provide.
One of the critical areas of dispute is that provoked by the activities of extractive industries on indigenous peoples lands. The course will look at the prevailing tensions between indigenous peoples notions of well being and company policies and review specific instances of both conflict and reconciliation. Many of the largest mining and oil companies have codes of conduct on human rights and specific commitments to protect indigenous communities.
The course will look at specific countries and cases as practical examples that can contribute to a better understanding of the issues raised. For example, in looking at indigenous peoples self determination, students might contrast self government in Greenland with the autonomy arrangement of the Kuna Comarca in Panama. Indigenous peoples have distinct views about development and the course will draw on the writings and statements of indigenous peoples themselves.
The rights of indigenous peoples constitute an area of international human rights law that is attracting growing interest and scholarship in many parts of the world and it is appropriate that the Human Rights Centre, with its reputation for excellence, offer a course that deepens understanding of this rapidly evolving field of study. There is a growing literature produced by scholars, UN bodies, NGOs and indigenous peoples themselves that is available as well as good audio visual sources. Consideration might also be given to what has stimulated this interest in indigenous peoples cultures and struggles.
The course is intended to be multi disciplinary. While the focus of the course in on the international protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, there will be areas of discussion and analysis that will be of interest for students of other disciplines. Students of politics will perhaps want to understand how an apparently disparate group with little leverage has been able to make such gains internationally. The questions of development, poverty and globalization as seen through the eyes of indigenous peoples can be of interest to economics and development students. The challenge of protecting indigenous peoples collectively held, orally recorded knowledge can be of interest to those working in the cultural area. The course will encourage the participation of students from diverse disciplines.
It is intended that the course be of practical value, giving students tools and knowledge that they can apply both in their continuing studies by opening up new perspectives and questions and in their professions if they work or plan to work in the international, humanitarian, legal or development fields.
The proposed course will provide students with an overview of developments in international human rights and policy as they relate to indigenous peoples. It will help students understand the notions of collective rights, self determination, land rights and the principle of free, prior and informed consent as they apply to indigenous peoples. It will look in detail at key issues including indigenous peoples and development showing both the extent to which this group is excluded from most national strategies to combat poverty and how indigenous peoples understand development and well-being. The course will look at how indigenous peoples are seeking to protect their cultural expressions and traditional knowledge as well consider indigenous peoples perspectives as they relate to environmental management, the maintenance of biodiversity and the challenge of climate change.
Students will have an opportunity to learn about the work of relevant inter governmental organizations such as the ILO, UNESCO, the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biodiversity, WIPO, UNDP and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Bank and others as well as regional bodies including the Inter American Court of Human Rights, Inter-American Development Bank or the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. A small number of non governmental organizations have been actively supporting indigenous peoples struggles over many years and student will be given an opportunity to draw on the extensive experience and documentation they provide.
One of the critical areas of dispute is that provoked by the activities of extractive industries on indigenous peoples lands. The course will look at the prevailing tensions between indigenous peoples notions of well being and company policies and review specific instances of both conflict and reconciliation. Many of the largest mining and oil companies have codes of conduct on human rights and specific commitments to protect indigenous communities.
The course will look at specific countries and cases as practical examples that can contribute to a better understanding of the issues raised. For example, in looking at indigenous peoples self determination, students might contrast self government in Greenland with the autonomy arrangement of the Kuna Comarca in Panama. Indigenous peoples have distinct views about development and the course will draw on the writings and statements of indigenous peoples themselves.
The rights of indigenous peoples constitute an area of international human rights law that is attracting growing interest and scholarship in many parts of the world and it is appropriate that the Human Rights Centre, with its reputation for excellence, offer a course that deepens understanding of this rapidly evolving field of study. There is a growing literature produced by scholars, UN bodies, NGOs and indigenous peoples themselves that is available as well as good audio visual sources. Consideration might also be given to what has stimulated this interest in indigenous peoples cultures and struggles.
The course is intended to be multi disciplinary. While the focus of the course in on the international protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, there will be areas of discussion and analysis that will be of interest for students of other disciplines. Students of politics will perhaps want to understand how an apparently disparate group with little leverage has been able to make such gains internationally. The questions of development, poverty and globalization as seen through the eyes of indigenous peoples can be of interest to economics and development students. The challenge of protecting indigenous peoples collectively held, orally recorded knowledge can be of interest to those working in the cultural area. The course will encourage the participation of students from diverse disciplines.
It is intended that the course be of practical value, giving students tools and knowledge that they can apply both in their continuing studies by opening up new perspectives and questions and in their professions if they work or plan to work in the international, humanitarian, legal or development fields.
General Information
The module would provide an examination of the challenges posed to the universality of human rights by religious beliefs and practices, through an in-depth study of the debates surrounding Islam and international human rights standards. It would take a multi-disciplinary approach, and examine the political, cultural and legal context of the tensions between international human rights law on the one-hand and classical Islamic doctrine and contemporary State practice on the other. The course would also examine modern readings of Islamic law that seek to reconcile Islamic practice with international norms. No prior knowledge of Islam or Islamic law is required.
Aims
The purpose of the module is to acquaint LLM/MA/MPhil students with a diverse range of English language scholarship on one of the most controversial, and perhaps widely misunderstood issues in human rights practice, and to enable them to carry out further independent research. It would also equip students with cross-cultural dialogue skills necessary for careers in diplomacy, human rights advocacy, journalism and international commerce, particularly where they call for a better understanding of Islamic state practices. It will be especially useful for students taking the LLM and MA courses in human rights, and postgraduate students outside of those courses may take the module for credit with approval of the module director.
Learning Outcomes
The module has five major objectives in terms of learning outcomes:
to understand the basic principles of the Islamic legal tradition and how they impact on the international human rights discourse and Muslim state practice;
to examine critically the diversity of perspectives on human rights in Islamic thought and practice and develop the tools necessary for cross-cultural understanding and engagement;
to analyze the inter-relationship between culture, history, religion and politics in the realisation of human rights;
to develop critical reasoning, analytical writing and oral argumentation skills.
to enable students to carry out independent research into the subject.
The module would provide an examination of the challenges posed to the universality of human rights by religious beliefs and practices, through an in-depth study of the debates surrounding Islam and international human rights standards. It would take a multi-disciplinary approach, and examine the political, cultural and legal context of the tensions between international human rights law on the one-hand and classical Islamic doctrine and contemporary State practice on the other. The course would also examine modern readings of Islamic law that seek to reconcile Islamic practice with international norms. No prior knowledge of Islam or Islamic law is required.
Aims
The purpose of the module is to acquaint LLM/MA/MPhil students with a diverse range of English language scholarship on one of the most controversial, and perhaps widely misunderstood issues in human rights practice, and to enable them to carry out further independent research. It would also equip students with cross-cultural dialogue skills necessary for careers in diplomacy, human rights advocacy, journalism and international commerce, particularly where they call for a better understanding of Islamic state practices. It will be especially useful for students taking the LLM and MA courses in human rights, and postgraduate students outside of those courses may take the module for credit with approval of the module director.
Learning Outcomes
The module has five major objectives in terms of learning outcomes:
to understand the basic principles of the Islamic legal tradition and how they impact on the international human rights discourse and Muslim state practice;
to examine critically the diversity of perspectives on human rights in Islamic thought and practice and develop the tools necessary for cross-cultural understanding and engagement;
to analyze the inter-relationship between culture, history, religion and politics in the realisation of human rights;
to develop critical reasoning, analytical writing and oral argumentation skills.
to enable students to carry out independent research into the subject.
General Information
Module Description
The module would introduce students to the nature of the international system and its influence on the promotion and protection of human rights and to key theoretical debates about the pathways to human rights impact from a multidisciplinary perspective. As a practice-oriented module, it will examine the role of foreign policy instruments in the promotion of human rights as well as the use of human rights to advance foreign policy goals of states in bilateral, regional and multilateral contexts.
Aims
The purpose of the module is to provide LLM/MA/MPhil students programmes with a global perspective on the practice of human rights, especially in the negotiation and implementation of human rights norms. It enables an in-depth study of human rights advocacy by multilateral institutions and international civil society organisations, comparative study of foreign policy, and greater understanding the international political context in which human rights are promoted and defended. It will be especially useful for students taking the LLM and MA courses in human rights, and postgraduate students outside of those courses may take the module for credit with approval of the module director. There are no pre-requisites or correlated courses.
Learning Outcomes
The module has five major objectives for learning outcomes:
to understand different conceptions of the international system and how they each enhance or constrain the advancement of human rights as well as the relationship between competing national interests pursued by states
to analyse the processes by which human rights norms are set and promoted, and to examine them in comparative perspective
to recognise the relevance of multi-disciplinary approaches to the understanding of human rights in a global context
to develop greater awareness of the tools and means of success in the advocacy of human rights
to develop the critical reasoning, analytical writing and oral argumentation skills
Module Description
The module would introduce students to the nature of the international system and its influence on the promotion and protection of human rights and to key theoretical debates about the pathways to human rights impact from a multidisciplinary perspective. As a practice-oriented module, it will examine the role of foreign policy instruments in the promotion of human rights as well as the use of human rights to advance foreign policy goals of states in bilateral, regional and multilateral contexts.
Aims
The purpose of the module is to provide LLM/MA/MPhil students programmes with a global perspective on the practice of human rights, especially in the negotiation and implementation of human rights norms. It enables an in-depth study of human rights advocacy by multilateral institutions and international civil society organisations, comparative study of foreign policy, and greater understanding the international political context in which human rights are promoted and defended. It will be especially useful for students taking the LLM and MA courses in human rights, and postgraduate students outside of those courses may take the module for credit with approval of the module director. There are no pre-requisites or correlated courses.
Learning Outcomes
The module has five major objectives for learning outcomes:
to understand different conceptions of the international system and how they each enhance or constrain the advancement of human rights as well as the relationship between competing national interests pursued by states
to analyse the processes by which human rights norms are set and promoted, and to examine them in comparative perspective
to recognise the relevance of multi-disciplinary approaches to the understanding of human rights in a global context
to develop greater awareness of the tools and means of success in the advocacy of human rights
to develop the critical reasoning, analytical writing and oral argumentation skills
15,000 - 20,000 (including footnotes) word dissertation
15,000 - 20,000 (including footnotes) word dissertation