Module descriptions
Kingston University
Framework and Foundations of Human Rights (Robin Redhead)
This module provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the institutions and mechanisms involved in the protection and promotion of human rights norms, and enables them to develop a critical understanding of the historical, political and legal context surrounding the development of a particular human right. The module moves from a consideration of the historical evolution of human rights to analysis of the national, regional and international architecture of contemporary human rights laws and institutions before considering a particular right in relation to history and human rights frameworks. The particular right considered will vary from year to year.
Achieving Human Rights: Theories/Strategies for Change (Stephen Bowen)
This module aims to allow students to reflect critically on the strategic challenge of defending, protecting and promoting human rights and to be introduced to the core theories of strategies for change. Students will identify and critically evaluate methodologies of particular strategies for change through a series of practical examples, such as the campaign for access to medical treatment for HIV/AIDS.
Politics of Mass Murder (Professor Philip Spencer/Paul Dixon)
This module will explore some deeply troubling events in 20th and 21st century history and politics. It has been argued that this century - "the century of extremes", as Eric Hobsbawm called it - witnessed an exponential rise in killing for reasons and in ways that had little or no precedent in recorded history. In the course of this module, students will look at a number of cases where states engaged in the systematic attempt to murder large numbers of people, including many of those who had hitherto been its own citizens or subjects. Case studies vary from year to year but have included the Holocaust, Stalinist Russia, Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Darfur.
Research Methods (Robin Pettitt)
This module will create a foundation for independent study at postgraduate level and provide students with an understanding of research approaches, methodologies, resources and support for their own research work.
Managing and resolving international conflict (Spyros Sofos)
This module examines the wide range of tools and mechanisms that can be utilised to prevent conflict and bring about peace in war-torn societies. Topics covered include early warning, peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, mediation, negotiation, arbitration, reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction.
Meaning and protection of human rights (Stephen Bowen)
This module provides students with a critical understanding of the scope and content of core human rights and the conceptual issues involved in fundamental debates about human rights. We take a series of the most important issues in contemporary human rights and explore how we should think about and examine competing interpretations and approaches to rights from different traditions. Recently we have explored a range of rights including torture, non-discrimination and equality, economic, social and cultural rights, self-determination, slavery and the right to development.
Achieving human rights: case studies of change (Stephen Bowen)
What are the main strategic challenges in defending, protecting and promoting human rights? This module evaluates different ways of pursuing strategies for change and identifies and assesses best practice in campaign and impact assessment methodologies. An introduction to campaign and impact analysis methodologies will be followed by case studies in areas such as the 'War on Terror' and corporate accountability. More general themes such as monitoring compliance and popular public campaigning will also be explored.
Case study in international conflict: the Rwanda conflict (Edward Mogire)
This case study looks at the dynamics of the Rwandan conflict in an historical and geographical perspective and aims to provide students with an in-depth analysis of this conflict's evolution and the factors implicated therein. The module explores and critically examines the international community's interventions and assesses conflict management and resolution strategies implemented in the conflict. The first part of the module focuses on pre-colonial Rwanda, the colonial rule and the independence movement. In the second part attention is paid to the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, and post-1994 reconstruction and peace-building efforts.
Case study in international conflict: The war over Bosnia (Marko Attila Hoare)
This case study aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the complex issues and dynamics at the heart of the war over Bosnia. It evaluates the relative roles and responsibilities of different actors and agencies involved in the conflict, and explores possible alternatives to the different strategies which were pursued in seeking to resolve this conflict. The module looks closely at the issue of ethnic cleansing, Serbian, Croatian and Muslim responsibilities and the role of the UN and NATO. It ends with an assessment of Dayton and its aftermath, and the state of democracy and human rights in Bosnia.
The prevention of genocide (Marko Attila Hoare/Professor Philip Spencer)
The module seeks to explore and critically evaluate the concept of genocide from a political, historical and legal perspective. It looks at existing methodologies for predicting the transition of conflict situations from conventional warfare or civil strife to cases of genocide. Lastly, it assesses and evaluates techniques and approaches to the prevention of genocide.
Human Rights and armed conflict (Edward Mogire)
The module seeks to explore and critically evaluate the concept of genocide from a political, historical and legal perspective. It looks at existing methodologies for predicting the transition of conflict situations from conventional warfare or civil strife to cases of genocide. Lastly, it assesses and evaluates techniques and approaches to the prevention of genocide.
University of Siena
The Universality of Human Rights (Marcello Flores)
This module looks at key principles and concepts in the area of Human Rights. Topics and sessions include an introduction to multi-disciplinary approaches to human rights, classical theories of rights, universalism versus cultural relativism, and several prominent critiques of rights. The recognition of diversity within different cultures is a central issue of the module and will be dealt with extensively. The module addresses for instance the challenge posed by the so-called "Asian values" to the universality of human rights, and explores ethical, political and social issues in Asian countries with regards to human rights.
Crimes of war and genocide (Giovanni Gozzini)
This module looks at definitions of war crimes and genocide in a number of disciplinary areas and in an historical perspective. It analyses a number of case studies which have been described as genocide, particularly the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. Students will be encouraged to work on a wide range of primary sources, including memoirs of perpetrators, victims, bystanders and beneficiaries. The module also addresses the issue of collective memory and historical understanding of genocides, including the debate on historical revisionism and negationism.
Peacekeeping and conflict resolution (Marco Mayer)
This module examines the origin and mandate of peacekeeping, the conditions under which peacekeeping by the United Nations or regional organizations takes place, and the process of creating a peacekeeping mission. The effectiveness of criminal trials and punishments of mass violence will be analysed and an exploration of how this system can be improved will be made. The seminars will deal with the problems and challenges faced by any country which attempts to establish accountability for past abuses of human rights in the aftermath of mass atrocities. Students will first consider the various philosophical and moral issues associated with this subject. They will then analyze the major strategies and mechanisms available for the pursuit of post conflict justice including international ad hoc criminal tribunals.
Humanitarian intervention and its context (Antonio Donini)
This module looks at humanitarian intervention in an historical and comparative perspective. It analyses NGOs and IGOs which operate in the area of human rights and genocide prevention and explores their role and effectiveness. Issues addressed include: styles and types of intervention; problems and challenges faced by national and international organisations in monitoring and operationalising human rights; the question of self-determination and national sovereignty.
Viadrina European University Frankfurt (Oder)
Legal and Institutional Foundations (Wolff Heintschel von Heinegg)
This module presents the international legal and instructional framework of human rights protection including the major human rights treaties and other instruments on the universal and regional level as well as the principal international organisations in the field of human rights and genocide. In this module students will have the opportunity to explore and critically evaluate the system and institutions of public international law (including the major courts) and their limits in relation to human rights protection and to confront specific problems through practical case examples.
Civil and Political Rights (Tobias Gries)
This course will teach students about the main sources and enforcement possibilities of civil and political rights (such as the freedom of the person, the right to life, prohibition of torture, right to a fair trial, freedom of speech and assembly) in various systems such as those of the UN (ICCPR), the Council of Europe (ECHR), as well as other regional systems (for example the Inter-American System). Students will learn to reflect critically on the whole system of defending, protecting and promoting human rights of the so called 'first dimension' and their importance for sustaining free and democratic societies.
Prohibition of discrimination (Gerard C Rowe)
This module will address the prohibition of discrimination under universal and regional regimes of public international law and examine the implications and their implementation in national legal systems. It will provide students with detailed knowledge of the legal treatment of typical grounds of discrimination (race, sex, sexual orientation, family status, handicap, age, political opinion, religious belief), typical social and economic contexts of regulation (basic civil and political rights, the legal system, public services, employment, education, goods and services, clubs and organisations) and typical modes of discriminatory action (in particular direct and indirect discrimination). The key remedial and programmatic responses to discrimination (complaint-based measures, conciliation and mediation, affirmative action and programmatic support for multiculturalism) also form key elements of the module.
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Gerard C Rowe)
This course is designed to provide students with a good grounding in the main sources and enforcement possibilities of economic, social and cultural rights (such as the right to work, rights to education, etc.) in various systems such as the UNO (ICESCR) on universal level and the Council of Europe (ECHR and European Social Charter) on the regional level. The module aims to show how human rights of the so called 'second dimension' expand, enhance and reinforce those of the 'first dimension', especially in the context of economic globalisation and liberalization.
The Jewish Holocaust and other Nazi-led killing programmes - a comparative study (Steve Paulsson)
The aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire a comparative knowledge of the various killing programmes carried out by the Nazis, their collaborators and allies, understanding the differences in ideological origins and implementation between these programmes, as well as the similarities and differences between them. Students will gain an insight into the character and motivations of "desk killers" and the application of modern bureaucracy and industrial techniques to mass murder and be helped to understand the essential difference between mass violence as a rampage, requiring the emotional commitment of the individual perpetrator and the demonization of the victim, and as an organized, technical enterprise, requiring the emotional distancing of the perpetrator and the objectivization of the victim. The module also aims to discuss the international war-time government responses in the areas of refugee and immigration policy, rescue attempts, calls for intervention or declarations, and the issue of "what was known when, by whom, and how?"; and to explore victim responses, and how escape, hiding, and other attempts at survival were helped and hindered by local populations, governments and NGOs. Attention will also be paid to the post-war history of the Holocaust in the areas of war-crimes trials, the development of the genocide concept (and its limitations), population resettlement projects, material compensation and restitition, the conflicting demands of memorialization/instrumentalization and evolving historical understanding, "victim envy" (competition among victim groups), and what has and has not been learned.
Methods of Research and Project Work (Carmen Thiele)
This module aims to provide students with the possibility to practice and to acquire knowledge in methods of social-science research and the development of project work. Through this module the student will achieve familiarity with various research techniques including high-level usage of databases (especially those available on the internet), the management of academic literature (providing support for the writing of research reports, theses, academic articles, mission reports, etc.), basic techniques of statistical analysis and the capacity to understand and reliably evaluate statistical information, and the presentation and organisation of research results. The module will enhance students' ability to work in teams as well as individually.
International law and practice on state-condoned mass murder since 1914 (Steve Paulsson)
The aim of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to acquire specialist knowledge of the history of international law and practice on subjects related to mass killing, including immigration and refugee law, war crimes and war-crimes trials, the Geneva Conventions, the concept of genocide and the 1948 Genocide convention, peacekeeping, humanitarian aid, the introduction of the R2P concept and the problem of its practical implementation, the history of armed intervention and its legal status. The module also aims to discuss the advantages and shortcomings of past attempts to deal with mass killing and its consequences, and to explore and assess possible present and future lines of development.
Representation of interests
This module description will be available shortly.
Conflict prevention and management (Ulla Gläßer)
This module examines the basic methodologies of conflict prevention including, for example, mediation, conciliation and negotiation as well as the role of observers and of the provision of information. It will give the student a realistic idea of the main sources and types of conflicts and of the social groups which may be involved in conflicts, especially those involving serious threats to human rights and mass violence. The methodologies and potential limits of various forms of intervention, especially within the framework international human rights law and international humanitarian law, will be explored, in particular through case examples and role-play.
Rights of minorities and people (Carmen Thiele)
This module introduces the main legal, historical and political problems of minorities and peoples. It analyses the most important protection systems and the rights given to persons belonging to national minorities and peoples on the universal, regional and national levels. Particular topics addressed include the problem of the definition of national minorities and peoples in law as the holder of minority rights or the right to self-determination respectively, and the diverse content of these rights. Students will acquire specialist knowledge of this increasingly important legal field and gain insight into its direct relevance to genocide prevention. They will be encouraged critically to evaluate the actual system and to discuss possible improvements.
Modern nationalism: the engine of mass murder? (Steve Paulsson)
This module description will be available shortly.
Individual criminal responsibility (Arndt Sinn)
This module presents the main aspects of individual criminal responsibility under substantive international criminal law and international criminal procedure. The basic principles and sources of this responsibility (especially under the Statute of the international Criminal Court (the Rome Statute), and specialist regimes such as those for Rwanda and former Yugoslavia) will be covered. Attention will be given to issues concerning immunity, arrest and evidence (including an introduction to forensic questions).
Criminal Law and enforcement (Arndt Sinn)
This module focuses upon key aspects and concepts in criminal law and its enforcement through prosecution and punishment. Particular topics include the definition of crimes, criminal investigation (and its limits under human rights and constitutional law), the establishment of the elements of a crime, the establishment of guilt, the examination of witnesses, the determination of punishment and its application, especially in the international context and in relation to breaches of fundamental rights and to mass violence. Students will gain in-depth understanding of criminal prosecution law, monitoring institutions and enforcement possibilities through detailed consideration of case examples, including through group work.
Negotiating for peace (Lars Kirchhoff)
This course will examine the basic principles and methods of interest representation in the international human rights field and especially in situations involving conflicts along national, ethnic or religious lines. This will include attention to the representation of groups in international and national court procedures (especially in international criminal procedures and before international human rights tribunals such as the European Court of Human Rights or international commissions and councils), international and national public investigations and enquiries, and in processes of mediation, conciliation and negotiation. Special emphasis will be placed on procedures before international institutions and the role of NGOs both generally and in, for example, the conduct of observer missions.
Rights of refugees and migrants (Ryszard Piotrowicz)
This course will examine the rights of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons especially under public international law. Issues of their status und the international and regional legal regimes of protection and rights of seek asylum will be examined. The problem of statelessness and its relation to international and national law will be addressed. Attention will also be given to the role of international and regional institutions (for example, the UNHCR, the International Red Cross/Crescent). Through an assessment of practical and current problems of affected persons and groups, students will have the opportunity to evaluate critically the basic elements of refugee and migration law from political, historical and legal perspectives.
Collegium Civitas, Warsaw
Human Rights organisations
This module looks at the most important Human Rights NGOs, their legal status, activities and strategies. It also deals with the relationships among human rights NGOs and conflicts resulting from different ideologies (for example the one between the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Center for Law and Justice), the relations between human rights NGOs and international governmental organisations and between human rights NGOs and states.
Legal problems of human rights (Marek Antoni Nowicki)
This module aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the history and the theoretical background of human rights, and to enable them to apply human rights' norms to a range of legal
contexts. Students will be provided with the necessary skills to autonomously analyse diverse regional and international legal issues related to human rights.
Holocaust and genocide
This module looks at the history of the Holocaust, and the context in which the Holocaust was perpetrated. It t looks at how ideologies of racism and anti-Semitism gradually led the way to the policy of mass murder; it explores the roles, the behaviour and the impact of genocidal Nazi policies on perpetrators, victims and witnesses; and with those who tried to save and help the victims of Holocaust.
Truth and reconciliation (Serge Pukas)
This module focuses on the difficulties faced by newly established democratic governments with regard to the reckoning of past violations of human rights perpetrated by previous authoritarian or totalitarian regimes. The module will look at the complexity of transition processes, the distinction between the politics of forgetting and the politics of memory, the problems entailed in the attribution of responsibility for past injustices, and the differences between moral and legal perspectives on past crimes. Finally, by looking at specific case studies, the module will provide some examples of some strategies of reconciliation and conflict resolution in divided societies.
Holocaust memory and impact (Maciej Kozlowski)
This module will focus on how the Holocaust has influenced the shaping of post-war politics, institutions and the concept of the Human Rights and how knowledge of the Holocaust has been internalized in succeeding generations. It will look at some of the key controversies surrounding issues connected with the legacy of Holocaust and the major debates it has generated and at the role played by institutions and organizations in trying to deal with its memory and longer-term implications.
International negotiation and responsibility to protect (Ryszard Zóltaniecki)
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the institutional and political framework within which actions oriented toward the protection of oppressed, weak or endangered groups can take place. The module looks at the characteristics of the process of negotiation between parties involved in major international conflicts. By the end of the module students will be expected to be able to independently analyse actions undertaken by key actors in the international arena.
Techniques of negotiation (Mariusz Handzlik)
This module will look at global and regional contexts of negotiation and their internal dynamics and logic. Students' basic negotiation capabilities both on the interpersonal and structural level will be developed through a series of workshops.
All partner institutions
Internship
This module enables you to undertake a work placement in a human rights organisation. This may be either in a governmental or non-governmental organisation. You can choose an area connected to your overall career ambitions and/or use the placement as a chance to expand your horizons.
Dissertation
In your dissertation, you will apply the skills learnt in the research methods module in a piece of original research, studying a subject of your own choice (either applied or theoretical) in considerable depth.