Course

Human Rights and Democracy Clinic, Part I

General information

The course is a compulsory component of the M.A. Program in Human Rights and Democracy. It is also offered as a freestanding course.

Course description

The course provides an advanced introduction to some of the methods and theories that inform the practical work of advancing human rights and democracy at different levels of society. Students will work in small sub-groups to plan and execute a project of relevance for human rights and democracy. The course includes a set of workshops where students will develop transferable skills like project planning, information gathering, analysis, report writing and oral presentation. The project will generate a short report documenting a current issue of relevance for the area of human rights and democracy. The course emphasizes the interplay between theory and practice, and especially how the interpretation of central concepts, legal frameworks and social processes shape what are considered as relevant problems and measures in the advancement of human rights and democracy.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student shall be able to

Knowledge and understanding

  • describe central methods for identifying, planning, executing and evaluating projects of relevance to human rights and democracy;
  • account for and critically evaluate methods for gathering, analyzing and presenting relevant for an inquiry in the areas of human rights and democracy;
  • critically and independently reflect on how philosophical, historical, legal, social and political perspectives affect the interpretation of phenomena and issues in the areas of human rights and democracy;

Competence and skills

  • formulate, plan, execute and evaluate a minor project with relevance for the areas of human rights and democracy;
  • apply and critically assess relevant methods for information gathering and analysis;
  • account and argue for one’s assessment of complex phenomena—orally as well as in writing;

Judgement and approach

  • reflect critically and independently on central theories and concepts within the field of inquiry;
  • analyze and assess information using scientific criteria.

The course literature may be subject to revision.

  • (520 p.)

    Note: Later edition can be used.

  • (248 p.)

  • (169 p.)

Articles and working material: ca. 800 pages.

The schedule is available at the latest one month before the course starts. We do not recommend that you print the schedule as some changes may happen.

Open the Schedule

Ulf Johansson Dahre

PhD, Docent

ulf.johansson-dahre@ehs.se

Johanna Ohlsson

Head of Department of Human Rights and Democracy, PhD, Senior Lecturer

johanna.ohlsson@ehs.se

Grades

U = Fail, G = Pass

Examination Format

  • Papers

The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree in human rights studies or another related field in social or political science, law or the humanities. Students with undergraduate degrees in the natural sciences, engineering or medicine may also be admitted subject to their ability to demonstrate a proficiency in human rights, for instance through professional or voluntary work or activity.

If English is not the applicant’s native language, his or her language proficiency is to be demonstrated by e.g. IELTS test, TOEFL test, Cambridge/Oxford test, a Bachelor’s degree from a study programme taught entirely in English, or a passing grade in English 6/English B from Swedish upper secondary school.

Selection: Higher education credits

  • Completion of a course requires a minimum of 80% attendance at lectures and 100% attendance at seminars/group work and other assignments. Absence beyond that can be compensated by supplementing assignment(s) if the instructor finds it possible. In case of an absence of 50% or more, the course is considered as interrupted, even if assignments have been completed.
  • Students have the opportunity to take the exam according to the original course syllabus within two years after the course. If there are special reasons, such a re-examination can also take place later. Normally, teaching is not given according to an older syllabus. The possibility of exemption shall be decided by the president or vice president.
  • If a student due to disability has a decision from the EHS on special pedagogical support, the examiner shall, if necessary, adapt the examination and conduct the examination in an alternative way.

Established by The College of Human Rights and Democracy at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm on December 7, 2020.