The Politics of Human Rights

Module code: PL7004

In this module, we will critically appreciate the conceptual and theoretical dimensions of human rights, as well as evaluate the political controversy surrounding key human rights. Politically, legally and even at the principle level, human rights are controversial – with many arguing that some of the rights therein are not ‘natural rights’, or that the Human Rights Act has impeded the authority of the Parliament.

Does the universal nature of human rights undermine national sovereignty in our globalised world? Does it provide all people with invaluable protection against the power of the state? We will assess the relationship between the state, politics and human rights, identify and critically read relevant texts and communicate complex ideas and arguments in written and oral formats.