Course

Graduate Seminar in Current Research on Human Rights and Democracy

Learning Outcomes

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

Knowledge and understanding

skillfully summarize and critically assess the state of research within the area of a intended degree project of relevance to human rights and democracy,
display strong awareness of how the intended degree project would contribute to the current state of research within the chosen area of inquiry,

Competence and skills

skillfully navigate among the relevant channels for the publication of research within an independently chosen area of inquiry,
compose a coherent and comprehensive overview of the research within an independently chosen area of study,
display strong command of the conventions of style and reasoning within the relevant disciplines for the intended degree project,
provide an overview of the possible primary sources for the intended degree project, and show awareness of the different challenges that arise when collecting and analyzing such sources,
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

In this course, students will prepare for the upcoming degree project by covering the current state of research within an independently chosen area of study. The instruction consists of regular seminars where students present different trends and disputes within their respective areas of studies, as well as workshops on academic writing and publishing. The course will also give students a chance to explore different possible primary sources that can be included in a future degree project.

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.

Course literature:

Hartridge, S. (2022). The rule of law in war: can there be a rule of law regulating the use of lethal force in international armed conflicts, should there be such a rule of law, and to what extent is there one? (Doctoral dissertation, UNSW Sydney).

Mortensen, T. (2023). NGOs as child rights implementers in India: How NGO workers negotiate human rights responsibility in ‘partnership’ with a neoliberal and restrictive state. (Doctoral dissertation, Lund University)

Papra, M. (2022). Liberty Versus Security Under Illiberal Constitutionalism: The Legality of Criminalising Humanitarian Assistance in Hungary and Greece. (Doctoral dissertation, Edinburgh Law School).

Zwingel, S. (2005). How do international women’s rights norms become effective in domestic contexts?: an analysis of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) (Doctoral dissertation, Bochum, Univ., Diss., 2005).

Literature last revised on June 18, 2024.

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