2026/27 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

LAW5363M Contemporary Issues of Human Rights

15 Credits Class Size: 40

Module manager: Dr Amanda Spalding
Email: a.spalding@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

Module replaces

Law 5362M Comparative Human Rights Law

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Contemporary Issues of Human Rights explores key thematic and emerging challenges in human rights law through a research-led approach. The module will enable students to engage critically with complex and contested areas of human rights, such as: (1) Migration, (2) Business and Human Rights, and (3) Discrimination.

Objectives

Contemporary Issues of Human Rights aims to develop advanced, in-depth understanding and critical awareness of human rights law. It does this by focusing on select, key issues that illustrate contemporary debates and tensions in human rights law. This is accomplished through independent rights-focused legal research and interactive workshops.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

To demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge of international human rights law and its application within different international and domestic contexts.

Be able to explain human rights concepts on theoretical and practical levels.

Be able to evaluative the interplay between human rights and different social, cultural, economic, and political issues.

To demonstrate critical analysis of human rights issues in a broad context.

Skills outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:

Master critical and creative thinking, demonstrating openness to alternative ideas and have the ability to interrogate sources.

Develop academic skills to enable you to source, explain and apply your discipline.

Be able to evaluate and analyse a range of information to put forward coherent and evidence-based arguments.

Be confident communicating persuasively

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Seminar 10 1.5 15
Private study hours 185
Total Contact hours 15
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

185

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formal, formative assessment opportunity will be provided, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to the summative assessment task. As part of this, each student will receive individual feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative assessment.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Coursework Coursework 100
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team