Course

Researching Human Rights and Democracy

General information

The course is a compulsory component of the M.A. Program in Human Rights and Democracy.

 

Language of instruction: English

 

Learning Outcomes

 

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

 

Knowledge and understanding

  • skillfully present and critically assess different theoretical perspectives and research methods of relevance to the study of human rights and democracy,
  • display a strong command of relevant concepts and strands within the philosophy of science,
  • describe and critically assess the evolution of interdisciplinary human rights studies, and its relation to traditional academic fields like law, philosophy, as well as social and political science,

 

Competence and skills

  • formulate a relevant methodological and theoretical framework for an advanced degree project of relevance to the study of human rights and democracy,
  • 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.

 

 

Course description

This course provides an advanced introduction to research methods and theories of knowledge of relevance for the study of human rights and democracy. The emphasis falls on the field of human rights studies, and the course serves as an introduction to how this field has developed over time and in relation to traditional academic disciplines like law, philosophy, as well as social and political science. In addition, the course introduces a range of research methods and perspectives on research ethics. The course thereby provides students with tools for carrying out an advanced thesis and other research projects, but also other forms of knowledge production in and outside of academia.

 

Additional Directives

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.

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.

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.

Aurini, Janice D., Melanie Heath & Stephanie Howells (2022). The How to of Qualitative Research 2nd ed. London: Sage (333 pp.). ISBN: 978-1-5264-9504-4

Becker, Howard (2001). ”The Epistemology of Qualitative Research”. In, Robert E. Emerson, Contemporary Field Research: Perspectives and Formulations. Long Grove: Waveland Press, pp. 317-331 (15 pp.).

Bishop, Robert C., 2007. The Philosophy of the Social Sciences: An Introduction. London: Continuum (396 sid). ISBN: 0-8264-8953-2.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative

research in psychology, 3(2), 77-101.

Creswell & Creswell, Human Rights Measuring Initiative, (2019). Is the Global situation of Human Rights improving or deteriorating? Mapping the case of the empirical measuring of human rights change. (40 pp.)

Jackson, Patrick T., (2011). The Conduct of Inquiry in International Relations: Philosophy of science and its implications for the study of world politics. London: Routledge. (pp. 1-40) (40 pp.). ISBN: 978-0-415-77627.

Joseph, Sarah and Adam McBeth (eds. 2010) Research Handbook on International Human Rights Law. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar (611 pp.) ISBN: 978-1-84720-368-7.

Landman, Todd & Edzia Carvalho (2009).  Measuring Human Rights. London: Routledge (160 pp). ISBN: 978-0-41544650-1

Merry, Sally E., 2011. ”Measuring the World: Indicators, Human Rights and Global Governance”. Current Anthropology, vol. 52, suppl. 3, sid 83-95 (13 s). 

Mills, Sara (2001). Discourse. London: Routledge. ISBN: 0-415-13854-X. (160 pages)

Nencel, L. (2014). Situating reflexivity: Voices, positionalities and representations in feminist ethnographic texts. Women’s Studies International Forum, 43, 75–83. 

Sundkvist, Emma (2022) Producing Situated Knowledge in Rapidly Changing Times, in Human rights as law, language and space making (Doctoral dissertation) 71-90.

Rennstam, Jens & David Wästerfors (2015). Analyze!: Crafting your data in qualitative research. Lund: Studentlitteratur (205 pp.). ISBN: 978-91-44-12705-7

Additional articles for assignments:  ca. 150 pages.

 

Total pages: ca. 2.180 

Literature last revised on April 24, 2023.

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

Grades

A = Excellent, B = Very good, C = Good, D = Satisfactory, E = Sufficient, Fx = Insufficient, F = Insufficient

Examination Format

  • Papers

Entry requirements
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.

In addition, advanced level studies in human rights studies of 45 credits or the equivalent.

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.

  • 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 October 3, 2019.