LW3IHR: International Human Rights Law

Module code: LW3IHR

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Alison Bisset, email: a.j.bisset@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with a core knowledge of the principal international human rights treaties, conventions and resolutions concluded under the auspices of the United Nations and to introduce them to the international systems that operate to ensure the enforcement, implementation and monitoring of international human rights standards. The module will explore current issues of controversy in international human rights law, consider the difficulties of realising international human rights law standards, and examine the different means of responding to situations of mass human rights violations. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the major international human rights instruments; 
2. Compare and contrast different techniques for enforcement of international human rights standards; 
3. Apply critical perspectives to international human rights law.  
4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the nature and scale of the efforts to protect human rights at the international level. 

Module content

This module will consider: 

• The nature of international human rights; 
• The International Bill of Rights; 
• Implementation, Operation and Enforcement of the Treaty Systems; 
• The United Nations Human Rights Council; 
• Business and Human Rights; 
• Responding to human rights crises. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is delivered via a combination of lectures and tutorials. Students are expected to undertake reading in advance of each tutorial and contribute to discussion in classes.    

Study hours

At least 32 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Pre-assessment and pre-exam classes will provide students with guidance on how to approach assessed elements of the module and provide opportunities for questions and feedback. 

Reassessment

Additional costs