Postgraduate Course: International law, human rights and corporate accountability (LAWS11341)
Course Outline
| School | School of Law |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
| Course type | Online Distance Learning |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This module will examine the history of human rights beginning with a discussion of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in 1948 through to contemporary issues generated by globalization.
In addition to analysing International Human Rights Law and the rights and duties of multinational corporations and state actors regarding human rights, the module will consider the contributions of institutions, NGOs and the international human rights movement.
Throughout the sessions we will evaluate aspects of accountability, enforcement and legal liability. Case study analysis will be used to examine human rights abuses, litigation, the role of states to protect human rights and the culpability of corporate actions. We will discuss the controversial issues surrounding corporations as subjects of international law while considering trends for future remedies including the concept of legally binding requirements.
The aims of this module are to:
- outline the fundamental rights espoused in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and explore the effects of globalization;
- assess rights and duties of state actors and multinational corporations in the area of human rights;
- debate the international legal status of business organizations and review international initiatives and enforcement methods;
- analyse court cases on human rights abuses;
- critique the successes and remaining challenges for the protection of human rights.
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| Course description |
The module will comprise the following sessions:
1. History of human rights
- Introduction and discussion of the evolution of the role of business in human rights abuses
2. Globalization and corporate social responsibility
- The effects of globalization on individual rights around the world and the efficacy of corporate social responsibility
3. States duty to protect - evaluating human rights practices
- States' regulations and actions that protect its people and actions that favour business interests
4. Institutions, movements and international initiatives
- Overview of initiatives to improve human rights and examples of successful campaigns
5. Corporate power, influence and legal status
- Multi-national Corporation¿s power and influence in developing countries, the purpose of a corporation and corporations as a legal person
6. International human rights law
- Obligations, duties, enforcement and effectiveness of treaties and declarations under The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and universal human right instruments
7. Civil liability for overseas corporate human rights abuses
- Access to judicial remedies, corporate civil liability under the Alien Tort Statute and consequences regarding corporate immunity
8. Corporate criminal liability
- Countries that recognise corporate criminal liability, the Rome Statute and International Criminal Court
9. Mechanisms of enforcement on corporations and other private actors
- Oversight instruments, United Nations mechanisms
10. Trends in international law relating to corporate liability for human rights violations
- Universal jurisdiction, aiding and abetting standard and soft-law instruments
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 40,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
156 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
1. Participation in online discussion - 20%
2. Coursework assessment - 20%
3. 4,000-word module essay - 60%
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- explain human rights issues in the context of global business;
- reconcile the need for competitive markets, sovereignty and human rights protections;
- compare institutions and methods for enforcement of international human rights law and corporate social responsibility;
- evaluate the legal findings on human rights cases and assess corporate civil and criminal liability;
- recommend measures to achieve human rights through due diligence and corporate accountability.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | |
Course secretary | Ms Clare Polson
Tel: (0131 6)51 4411
Email: Clare.Polson@ed.ac.uk |
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