Course
Human Rights and Democracy in Legal Perspective
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 the international law of human rights and how it relates to national legal systems, as well as to issues emerging from current global processes, such as climate change, migration, technology and economic integration. The course introduces the central sources of public international law and different modes of legal interpretations. The course further introduces different theoretical perspectives on the relationship between law, human rights and democracy, as well as on the role of legal institutions for democratic rule.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course, the student shall be able to
Knowledge and understanding
- explain how the international and regional systems for human rights are designed and how they relate to legal systems at the national level, as well as to legal questions brought to light by the forces of globalization;
- account for central theories and methods of legal interpretation, especially with regards to the relationship between human rights and democracy;
- compare and critically examine different legal theoretical perspectives on the relationship between law, human rights and democracy, as well as to account for the role of legal institutions for democratic rule;
Competence and skills
- identify, assemble and process relevant legal sources, as well as to analyze such sources in speech and in writing;
- independently identify and present a legal problem within the human rights and democracy and to compose an adequate legal argument;
- critically reflect on the merits of different legal-theoretical perspectives;
- critically reflect on the different roles played by intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental actors in realizing norms of human rights and democracy at different societal levels;
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.
Bantekas, Ilias & Lutz Oette (2020, 3rd ed.) International Human Rights Law and Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (1018 sid).
Cameron, Iain (2018). An Introduction to the European Convention on Human Rights. Uppsala: Iustus förlag (251 pp.). ISBN: 978-917737-0017
Articles and working material: ca 600 pp.
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.

Grades
A = Excellent, B = Very good, C = Good, D = Satisfactory, E = Sufficient, Fx = Insufficient, F = InsufficientExamination Format
- Papers
- Written examination
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.