Postgraduate Course: International law, human rights and corporate accountability (LAWS11341)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This module will examine the history of human rights beginning with a discussion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 through to contemporary issues generated by globalization.
In addition to analysing International Human Rights Law and the rights and duties of multinational corporations and state actors regarding human rights, the module will consider the contributions of institutions, NGOs and the international human rights movement.
Throughout the sessions we will evaluate aspects of accountability, enforcement and legal liability. Case study analysis will be used to examine human rights abuses, litigation, the role of states to protect human rights and the culpability of corporate actions. We will discuss the controversial issues surrounding corporations as subjects of international law while considering trends for future remedies including the concept of legally binding requirements.
Aims & objectives:
1. Outline the fundamental rights espoused in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and explore the effects of globalization;
2. Assess rights and duties of state actors and multinational corporations in the area of human rights;
debate the international legal status of business organizations and review international initiatives and enforcement methods;
3. Analyse court cases on human rights abuses;
4. Critique the successes and remaining challenges for the protection of human rights. |
| Course description |
The module will comprise the following sessions:
1. History of human rights
2. Globalization and corporate social responsibility
3. States duty to protect - evaluating human rights practices
4. Institutions, movements and international initiatives
5. Corporate power, influence and legal status
6. International human rights law
7. Civil liability for overseas corporate human rights abuses
8. Corporate criminal liability
9. Mechanisms of enforcement on corporations and other private actors
10. Trends in international law relating to corporate liability for human rights violations
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Please contact the distance learning team at escript.support@ed.ac.uk |
| Additional Costs | Students must have regular and reliable access to the internet. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 40,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
156 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
One essay of up to 4,000 words (60%); one individual assignment (20%); contribution to weekly online discussions throughout the semester (20%) |
| Feedback |
Students can expect to receive timely feedback on their assessments |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Explain human rights issues in the context of global business;
- Reconcile the need for competitive markets, sovereignty and human rights protections;
- Compare institutions and methods for enforcement of international human rights law and corporate social responsibility;
- Evaluate the legal findings on human rights cases and assess corporate civil and criminal liability;
- Recommend measures to achieve human rights through due diligence and corporate accountability.
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Reading List
The set text for this course is: 'Just Business: Multinational Corporations and Human Rights' (Amnesty International Global Ethics Series), by John Ruggie - 1st edition, W. W. Norton & Company (2013).
A list of key module readings will be available in advance of the module. Detailed reading lists are then available each week.
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Additional Information
| Course URL |
http://edin.ac/1Mt5uho |
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will develop their skills and abilities in:
1. Research and enquiry, through e.g. selecting and deploying appropriate research techniques;
2. Personal and intellectual autonomy, e.g. developing the ability to independently assess the relevance and importance of primary and secondary sources;
3. Communication, e.g. skills in summarising and communicating information and ideas effectively in written form;
4. Personal effectiveness, e.g. working constructively as a member of an online community;
5. Students will also develop their technical/practical skills, throughout the module, e.g. in articulating, evidencing and sustaining a line of argument, and engaging in a convincing critique of another¿s arguments.
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
This course is taught by online distance learning. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Miss Lorna Richardson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5563
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Clare Polson
Tel: (0131 6)51 4411
Email: |
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