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Objectives
Human Rights is a growing field of practical and academic interest as well as of policy making. At UWE, the MA in Human Rights has the innovative feature of being taught by leading academics in the School of Politics as well as the Law Faculty. This interdisciplinary collaboration provides for an original experience, engaging with cutting edge debates. The field of Human Rights is approached from a multidisciplinary angle, teaching the theoretical approaches to, and critiques of, human rights as well as the current human rights practice, by looking at international law, national law, legal philosophy, theories of rights, the role of NGOs and politics of human rights. For example, students will learn about specific human rights such as the freedom from slavery and why new forms of slavery are currently on the increase as well as about children's rights and the balance between liberation and protection. They will also engage with the major critiques of human rights (put forward by relativism, utilitarianism and the Marxist perspective) and they will learn about the sources of international human rights law and recent developments such as the area of individual criminal responsibility.
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Entry requirements
Applicants normally have a first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience. However if prospective applicants have a good lower second degree they are advised to consult the Programme Leader before making a formal application.
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Academic title
MA Human Rights
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Course description
Content
Core modules:
-Theories of Human Rights
-International Human Rights Law
Option modules may include:
-Politics of Human Rights
-Refugee Law
-International Law and Institutions
-International Humanitarian Law
-Placement with an NGO or relevant Human Rights organisation
-Any postgraduate module at UWE (with permission from the Award Leader)
You take two optional modules plus the two core modules (International Human Rights Law and Theories of Human Rights). In addition you will be required to complete a 15,000 word dissertation, which will be replaced by a documentary film if permitted by the Programme Leader.
One of the main strengths of the research into Human Rights carried out by lecturers involved in the Master's is that it engages with current developments in international law, global politics and trans-national practice. For details, please see the websites of Law and Politics.
Placements
This MA includes an optional placement with an NGO or relevant human rights organisation.
Teaching and learning
Students are expected to attend all sessions for each module. In addition, tutorial advice is available from relevant members of staff by individual appointment.
Assessment
Assessment is module-based and varies according to the particular concerns and learning objectives in each of the modules. Forms of assessment include seminar papers, essays, presentations, placement reports and exams. In addition and where appropriate to the student's prior expertise, a form of media production within an exploratory and critical framework.
The dissertation is based on individual research and is usually presented in written form (15,000 words) or in the form of a documentary. Dissertations are individually supervised.
