University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: 10.00 am - 12.00 noon Wed

International legal discourses of human rights have evolved markedly since 1945 with the codification, implementation and enforcement of human rights as international public law. Despite this progress, human rights seem more pivotal in the world today than ever. What the 'war on terror' has highlighted is that military measures are hopeless if they ignore universal aspirations for social justice and human rights. As the title of the module suggests, the principal focus of this module is to explore the relationship between human rights, political discourses and power. More people that ever before believe strongly in the necessity of the inclusion of human rights considerations when thinking about actions at every level of societal interaction; personal, local, national and international. The use of the concept is, however, frequently misused and the outcome of rights campaigns is often far from the original intention. In exploring these complex issues the module is divided into three parts. In PART I attempts to ground rights in philosophy and international law will be explored. In PART II many theorists are now attempting to go beyond this divide to think through the potential for the concept in the process of social transformation. The social constructionist human rights and power will be introduced, as will postcolonialism. Drawing on this theoretical discussion a series of contemporary issues will be explored in PART III and the focus will be on suitability of the concept in any programme of social transformation by considering the role - nationally and internationally - of the legal system, economic relations, government and non-government organisations.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1-hour lecture, 1-hour seminar/tutorial

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%


Re-assessment: re-sit and/or re-submission