Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW3108C: Business and Human Rights Law

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

This module aims to support you in developing detailed knowledge and understanding of business and human rights law. It provides the theoretical, conceptual and legal grounding needed for you to confidently engage in the effective discussion of human rights challenges in the business context. Its content is informed by key texts and the latest research, and the module is permeated by pertinent contemporary case study examples from around the world. It is research-enriched, not only in respect to the content covered but also in its learning approach, with student-led research at its core. This is a cross-campus, interdisciplinary module that, by bringing together students, academics and practitioners from across business and law, and from across the University of Exeter’s campuses, delivers a learning experience that exemplifies the importance of collaboration in the exploration and resolution of contemporary global challenges.

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 and understanding of business and human rights law.
2. Demonstrate critical awareness of the pervasive impacts of business practices on international human rights protection.
3. Demonstrate critical awareness of the place of human rights in the private sphere.
Discipline-Specific Skills4. Identify, assess and integrate relevant information from a breadth of suitable sources using appropriate interpretative techniques.
5. 5 Select, synthesise and critically assess the existence, application and implementation of international human rights normative provisions in the business context.
Personal and Key Skills6. Demonstrate confidence in articulating complex legal, theoretical and conceptual content using an interdisciplinary approach.
7. Produce analytically compelling, research-informed work that presents a persuasive and appropriately nuanced argument on a topic relevant to a theme or themes covered on the module.
8. Work independently, efficiently managing one’s time in the preparation of scheduled learning activities, exercises and assessments.

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:

  • The origins and evolving nature of the modern corporation.
  • The intersection of business practices and human rights protection, with case studies from several sectors, including, for example, the garment industry, pharmaceuticals, and the extractive industries.
  • The evolution and shortcomings of accountability under State-centric human rights and the limits of corporate social responsibility. 
  • The development and implementation of an international legal framework specific to business and human rights, and the role of business in upholding international human rights law.
  • Judicial and non-judicial remedies.
  • Future developments.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
26.5123.5

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled learning and teaching activities1111 x 1 hour lectures
Scheduled learning and teaching activities7.55 x 1.5 hour seminars
Scheduled learning and teaching activities84 x 2 hour workshops
Guided independent study73.5Preparation for scheduled learning and teaching sessions, including pre-reading and the completion of learning activities.
Guided independent study50Assessment preparation

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

Other Learning Resources

  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (adopted 16 December 1966, entered into force 23 March 1976) 999 UNTS 171.
  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (adopted 16 December 1966, entered into force 3 January 1976) 993 UNTS 3.
  • UN Human Rights Council, ‘Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, John Ruggie, Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework’ (21 March 2011) UN Doc A/HRC/17/31.
  • Legally Binding Instrument to Regulate, in International Human Rights Law, the Activities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises (Zero Draft Text) (16 August 2018):  www.ohchr.org/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/wgtranscorp/session3/draftlbi.pdf