Module LAWM145 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
LAWM145: Dignity, Democracy and the Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Module Aims
The module closely follows political developments and international discussion on human dignity, human rights and democracy. Drawing on the module convenor’s internationally recognised research in this field, it aims to provide you with a cutting edge, research-enriched learning opportunity. By studying the connections between human dignity and democracy from a range of perspectives in an interactive and discursive pedagogical environment, this module seeks to enable you to make sense of some of the current challenges to democracy and human rights.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. demonstrate detailed knowledge of, and an ability to evaluate critically, a wide range of theoretical issues at the intersection of human dignity, human rights and democracy; 2. demonstrate a deep and systematic knowledge of, and an ability to evaluate critically, a wide range of issues raised by the reliance on human dignity and human rights in treaty law and related case law. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. use a wide range of sources and materials, including case law from different courts, theoretical and substantive academic commentaries, statutes, constitutions and treaties, in a critical and constructive way; 4. demonstrate flexible and innovative ability to analyse complex legal problems, identify the relative significance of applicable rules and principles, and select appropriate methods for critically evaluating them. |
Personal and Key Skills | 5. demonstrate independent thinking and ability to construct critical argument effectively, confidently and autonomously; 6. work independently and manage time efficiently in preparing for module activities and assessments; 7. demonstrate confident ability to interact effectively and proactively with a team/learning group, to share information and ideas and to manage disagreement in a professional and constructive manner. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Human dignity and democracy: a global phenomenon
- Philosophical roots
- Human dignity and human rights after 1945
- Human dignity and democracy (Council of Europe)
- Human dignity and civilisation (ECHR)
- Human dignity as first foundational value of the EU (Treaty of Lisbon)
- Human dignity under the EU Charter (Treaty of Lisbon)
- Dignity democracy: key theories and core issues
- The role of law in promoting dignity democracy
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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33 | 117 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 33 | 22 x 1.5 hour interactive workshops (two per week). Initially, the lecturer will lead workshops, with students expected to become gradually more involved in defining the workshops focus and in leading them. |
Guided independent study | 50 | Workshop preparation |
Guided independent study | 67 | Reflection, research, and the preparation of formative and summative assessments. |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
ECJ case law: http://curia.europa.eu
ECHR case law: http://www.echr.coe.int/
Venice Commission: http://www.venice.coe.int/
ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Other Learning Resources
- Primary legal materials (e.g treaties, constitutions, case law etc ….) as available on official websites
- Relevant and authoritative blog posts
- Selected video clips/podcasts as available on youtube, media webpages, and official organisations.
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
A Barak, Human Dignity: The Constitutional Value and the Constitutional Right (CUP, 2015)
P Becchi and K Mathis (eds), Handbook of Human Dignity in Europe (Springer, 2019)
D Bedford, C Dupré, G Halmai and P Kapotas (eds), Human Dignity and Democracy in Europe: Identity, Citizenship and Solidarity (E Elgar, 2021)
E Daly, Dignity Rights: Courts, Constitutions and the Worth of the Human Person (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013)
E Daly and J May, Advanced Introduction to Human Dignity (E Elgar, 2020)
C Dupré, Importing the Law in Post-Communist Transitions, The Hungarian Constitutional Court and the Right to Human Dignity (Hart, 2003)
C Dupré, The Age of Dignity: Human Rights and Constitutionalism in Europe (Hart, 2015)
M Düwell et al (eds), The Cambridge Handbook of Human Dignity (CUP, 2014)
D Grimm, A Kemmerer and C Möllers (eds), Human Dignity in Context (Nomos/Hart, 2018)
G Kateb Human Dignity (Harvard University Press, 2011)
C McCrudden (ed), Understanding Dignity (OUP 2013)