Introduction to Human Rights (001HSE)

15 credits, Level 4

Spring teaching

On this module, you'll look at the study of human rights, human rights issues and various approaches that different disciplines take in this field.

You'll develop a basic understanding of the international human rights system. You'll be introduced to some of the long-lasting debates surrounding human rights: their origin, history, nature, universality, how they ‘work’, and how they are ‘made real’.

You'll also explore:

• the practice of human rights in relation to specific rights (for example women’s rights, children’s rights, rights of asylum seekers and refugees)
• institutions (for example the United Nations, the European Court of Human Rights)
• laws and contexts.

You'll focus on the complex and contingent ways that human rights are practiced (defined, claimed, interpreted, challenged, implemented and monitored), as well as the possibilities and limitations of human rights in making the world a better place.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 20 hours of contact time and about 130 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.