Module manager: Dr Clare James
Email: C.James@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module examines the evolution, mechanisms and grounds of international human rights protection. It examines international human rights law as an important branch of international law; the mechanisms, bodies and procedures introduced by the United Nations and other international and regional organisations; and a significant number of substantive human rights, including civil and political rights, socioeconomic rights and the rights of groups.
The aims and objectives of this module are for students to develop an in-depth knowledge of substantive and methodological aspects of international human rights law. The module explores the practice of the UN and regional human rights mechanisms as well as National Human Rights Institutions and NGOs, enabling students to critically engage with different perspectives and responses to contemporary human rights challenges.
The learning activities are designed to introduce students to the substantive and methodological aspects of international human rights law through lectures. Lectures will also introduce and explain the substantive rights addressed by the module. Workshops will require students to engage with both primary and secondary sources from human rights bodies, academics and NGOs engage with aspects of international human rights law. Students will be encouraged to critically engage with these sources and ideas in class and the assessment to explain and analyse contemporary international human rights challenges.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
Explain and analyse the concept of individual human rights in international law and the legal basis and function of the UN Human Rights Council as well as other international and regional human rights treaty systems.
Analyse legal and non-legal information to assess the concept of human rights in international law and how individual substantive human rights are applied and operate within broader societal contexts.
Use a variety of primary and secondary sources in relation to international human rights law to conduct independent legal research in relation to international human rights law.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
Frame complex questions clearly and use research methodologies to approach these questions systematically
Adapt communication styles to suit different audiences, including legal professionals and non-specialists
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 179 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
A formal formative assessment opportunity will be provided for the summative assessment task, which is specifically pedagogically aligned to that task. As part of this, each student will receive feedback designed to support the development of knowledge and skills that will be later assessed in the summative task.
| 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
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 14/05/2026
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