Democracy and Human Rights in European Context
Syllabus, Master's level, 2JS392
- Code
- 2JS392
- Education cycle
- Second cycle
- Main field(s) of study and in-depth level
- Legal Science A1N
- Grading system
- Fail (U), Pass (B), Pass with credit (Ba), Pass with distinction (AB)
- Finalised by
- The Educational Board of Law, 17 September 2018
- Responsible department
- Department of Law
General provisions
Determined on May 7, 2007 by Faculty of Law’s Teaching Committee, Uppsala University, by virtue of Chapter 6 Section 14 and 15 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The course plan enters into force on July 1, 2007. Revised on June 4, 2014, the revisions enter into force on January 1, 2015. Revised on September 17, 2018, the revisions enter into force on January 1, 2019.
In General
The course is 15 university points (15 ECTS credits) and an optional course at advanced level in the studies for the degree of Master of Laws, according to the degree requirements adopted 16 April 2007 by the Board of the Faculty of Law of Uppsala University. The course is held in English.
Entry requirements
In general, Swedish students must have attained five passes out of the six courses given at basic level of the LL.M programme. All the obligatory phases of the course in which the student has not attained a pass must have been fulfilled. Swedish students must have passed the exam for Term course 6.
If special reasons exist the board of exemption may grant exemption from the acceptance requirements.
Foreign students must at least have passed two years of studies in law.
Learning outcomes
To give students an understanding of the dynamics of the protection of human rights in an expanding and changing Europe as well as the complexity of the relationship between democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
The students are expected after the conclusion of the course to be able to:
- identify various solutions to legal problems at hand and in addition, apply the relevant international law norms/rules in a qualified manner,
- read and understand international case-law as well as identify the relevant issues in the concrete case,
- analyse the human rights norms in a contextual manner, i.e. to apply an ideological perspective.
Criteria for grades
For the grade "approved" (B) the student shall, in addition to showing an ability to present complex international legal issues orally and an ability to submit essays on time, achieve all the other learning outcomes, showing an ability to present and summarize material in a descriptive and reflective way.
For the higher grade "approved with merit" (Ba) the student shall, in addition to fulfiling the requirements for grade B, show an ability to structure material and to reason independently, critically and analytically.
For the highest grade "approved with distinction" (AB) the student shall, in addition to fulfiling the requirements for grade Ba, show an ability to structure material well, to analyse well, to compare and evaluate critically and to argue convincingly, with a high degree of independence.
Content
The course focuses on the rule of law, democracy, and the international protection of human rights.
Themes and topics discussed include:
- European institutions
The legal requirements for membership of the Council of Europe and the European Union.
- Human rights in the context of the Council of Europe and the European Union
The course will provide knowledge on the relevant human rights provisions of the European regional organisations including both civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights. The rights of so-called vulnerable groups and minorities are specifically addressed.
- Human rights protection in European countries
This theme addresses both legal and political frameworks and issues such as the role of democratic institutions.
- Theoretical perspectives on rights and democracy
Developments in legal and political theory on democracy, rights and the rule of law are explored.
Instruction
The teaching consists of lectures and seminars, the majority being in the form of seminars. All seminars are compulsory. The seminars are to be prepared in advance in study groups. Active participation is expected at seminars and in the study groups.
Students are furthermore required to write an essay of 12-15 pages. The essay will be discussed thoroughly at the end of the course at the selected topic seminars where the students present and defend their writings. The students are expected to participate in the discussions on the different subjects presented in the papers and every student has to act as opponent to one paper.
Assessment
In order for the students to complete the course they must fulfil the following compulsory requirements:
- All students are required to prepare for and participate actively in all seminars.
- All students are required to complete a written essay and participate actively at the selected topics seminars.
Essays must be the individual work of the student. Cooperation with other students in the writing of essays is not permitted. Where plagiarism or cooperation in the writing of essays is proved, disciplinary measures will be taken in accordance with University rules.
The grades given are Fail (U), and the passing grades Pass (B), Pass with credit (Ba) and Pass with distinction (AB). For any grade above “Pass”, the essay needs to be submitted on time.
Other directives
Delegations
It is delegated to the course director to issue the study plan and the literature list. These shall be annually submitted to the Teaching Committee as part of the course report.
Reading list
- Reading list valid from Spring 2024
- Reading list valid from Spring 2023
- Reading list valid from Spring 2021
- Reading list valid from Spring 2020
- Reading list valid from Spring 2019
- Reading list valid from Spring 2017
- Reading list valid from Spring 2016
- Reading list valid from Spring 2015
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2014
- Reading list valid from Autumn 2013
- Reading list valid from Spring 2013
- Reading list valid from Spring 2012
- Reading list valid from Spring 2011
- Reading list valid from Spring 2009
- Reading list valid from Spring 2008