Postgraduate Module Descriptor

LAWM146: 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.  

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here - you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. 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 Skills3. 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 Skills5. 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.

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)