Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3148: Human Rights Law: The European Convention On Human Rights

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

With this 30 credit module, you will develop a solid knowledge of ECHR law as well as critical analysis of human rights case law and systems of protection in Europe. It will also give you a valuable insight into the complexity of how European law develops and the ability to form an overall and critical understanding of this system of protection unique in the world as well as a detailed knowledge of some of the most fundamental human rights for the twenty-first century. In terms of employment opportunities, the module is addressed to:

  • Any student who wishes to open up new intellectual and career horizons;
  • Students who wish to work for international organisations, non-governmental organisations or public bodies;
  • Future barristers and solicitors who wish to practice in the field of human rights or are thinking of working on pro-bono missions;
  • And students who wish to embrace an academic career.

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 understanding of the nature and practice of ECHR human rights norms and mechanisms of protection;
2. Demonstrate solid understanding and critical awareness of the relationships between the European and (selected) Member States systems of protection of human rights;
3. Demonstrate detailed and critical understanding of techniques and strategies of human rights argumentation and judicial reasoning);
4. Demonstrate ability to identify, explain, critically evaluate, and compare key issues in ECHR law;
5. Demonstrate ability to critically assess the content and practice of ECHR human rights norms, by reference to standards of democracy;
Discipline-Specific Skills6. Demonstrate ability to select, synthesise and critically assess human rights normative provisions and their application by courts;
7. Demonstrate ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem question or case study and to suggest a conclusion supported by relevant arguments;
Personal and Key Skills8. Demonstrate ability to present, coherently and reflectively, orally and in writing, relevant legal and theoretical arguments; and
9. Demonstrate ability to work independently and in team, and to manage time efficiently in preparing for scheduled learning activities, exercises and assessments.
10. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.