HUMR5702 – Human Rights and Sustainable Development: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Theory and Practices

Course content

This course addresses different ways of thinking about the relationship between development and human rights, and addresses critical contemporary issues as global and local poverty, national and global inequalities and environmental challenges. It discusses shifts over time in the conceptualisation of development and examines the increasingly more central place of human rights in the development discourse, as expressed in ideas about "development as freedom", "rights-based development" and the "right to development" as a human right. It addresses the recent discourses on linkages between sustainable development and human rights, in view of new trends in globalization. It also explores the role of institutions (local, national and international) in safeguarding human rights (or the opposite, as obstacles to rights protection). The course gives scope for discussing the relationship between economic policies for social justice through human rights lenses, while also presenting selected legal cases and constitutional references on the right to development, and legal protection in development contexts.

The course offers critical examinations of practices of international development agencies, as appropriated by civil society, and thorough the application of a rights based approach to selected human rights issues, notably, poverty, health, climate change and land polices.

Learning outcome

After having completed this course the student will have acquired detailed?knowledge?about:

  • Good knowledge of the different conceptions of development, including sustainable development and how human rights became an important development issue through the right to development discourse
  • Good knowledge about the notion of human rights based-approaches to development
  • Good knowledge of key analytical and practical issues that emerge when human rights are integrated into the strategies of development institutions
  • Good knowledge of the main contemporary challenges and controversies pertaining to poverty a as a human rights issue, and the issue of climate change
  • Good knowledge about how development policies impact on the respect for, and protection and fulfilment of human rights

After having completed this course the student will have the?skills?to:

  • Analyse how social, cultural and economic development may imply human rights challenges and violations
  • Find the applicable source material and identify and interpret the relevant substantive rules and principles as they arise in case law, are being adhered to in public policies, and serve as rallying points in national, national and local action
  • Understand the obstacles and challenges of integrating human rights and development, both from a legal and public policy position
  • Critically evaluate existing treaties and resolutions for the protection of human rights in development contexts

Having completed this course the student will have the?general competence?to:

  • Write analytical reports and assessment studies of national and international development institutions, including public institutions and non-governmental organization
  • Understand the main interests and concerns relating to the protection of human rights in development contexts and processes
  • Analyse and assess the dynamic roles of civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights in sustainable development, and make use of this competence in development work

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

You may register for this course if you have admission to a Master`s programme at UiO. All applicants must fill the formal prerequisites.

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

Students admitted to other Master`s programmes may apply for guest student status.

Participants should have a general command of the subject matter studied in the first semester courses of the Master of Philosophy program in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights

Teaching

The course is conducted through lectures, seminars and student assignments.

Examination

Students are graded on the basis of a 4-hour written open book digital school examination.

The candidates will take the exam on a PC and the submission is digital in Inspera.?Read about School exams in Inspera

You must familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to exam support materials, and?the use of sources and citations.

Examination support material

This is an open book digital school examination. You are permitted to use any materials written on paper during the examination. This includes books, lecture materials and your own notes, whether handwritten or printed. There are no restrictions on marking up or highlighting these written materials. Printouts/notes from Lovdata are allowed.

No electronic support materials are allowed. Lovdata Pro will be closed for all students during the 4 hour school exam.

Rules for citation are crucial for determining whether the use of exam resources is legal.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in 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.

This guide is used by examiners for grading this course.

Resit an examination

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Apr. 5, 2026 12:16:17 AM

Facts about this course

Level
Master
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring and autumn
Examination
Spring

Contact

The Information Centre at The Faculty of Law