HUMR5507 – Leading Cases in Human Rights Law
Course description
Course content
- the Freedom of Religion or Belief,
- the Protection of Equality and Non-discrimination, and
- the Rights of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples.
This course provides you with an understanding of the complex content of three important and debated areas in international human rights law, the freedom of religion or belief, the protection against discrimination, and the rights of minorities - or indigenous peoples - and their members. You will learn about the interdependence and indivisibility of human rights and we highlight discussions on tensions, dilemmas, limitations and cross-cutting issues in and between these areas of human rights based on scholarly writings, case law and international instruments. You examine notable cases of the international judicial or quasi-judicial bodies, paying particular attention to the most recent legal developments to identify the practical and theoretical problems arising from the legislation and case-law in these areas. Also presented are cases and developments in domestic law, providing you an understanding of the issues involved in an effective protection of these rights when far-reaching societal changes and increased cultural complexity challenge the existent order. Through this course, the student will become familiar with the most-referenced cases and understand the contemporary direction and degree of protection offered under international human rights law.
Learning outcome
The purpose of this course is to track the major developments in the interpretation of these selected areas of rights. You shall have a good understanding of the content of these rights, based on assigned literature and the jurisprudence of international bodies, in particular the European Court of Human Rights and the Human Rights Committee. In addition, students are required to have a general knowledge of relevant domestic practice presented in the course and scholarly debates on issues included in assigned readings. Students who complete the course will acquire an improved ability to think analytically about the development of human rights law and practice regarding the right to freedom of religion or belief, the protection of equality and non-discrimination, and the protection of minority and indigenous rights.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams
they wish to sign up for by registering a study plan in StudentWeb.
You may register for this course if you have admission to a Master's programme at UiO. All applicants must fill the formal prerequisites.
Priority is given to students on the Master of Philosophy programme in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Bachelor's degree. Applicants who are not native speakers of English must document their proficiency in the English language prior to admission.
Recommended previous knowledge
Students with no background in human rights studies are strongly advised to prepare in advance the recommended readings
Teaching
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
Examination support material
Auxiliary materials allowed during examinations for courses taught in English.
Language of examination
English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.
A study programme may have rules that further limit the number of times a student may re-take this exam. In such instances the rules of the study programme will have priority.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Please se Detailed regulations for the Faculty of Law, Chapter 3 regarding application, responsibilities and special measures.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.