IR5051 Human Rights, Politics and Power

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Thurs 10am - 12noon

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof G S Sanghera

Prof G S Sanghera
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Gurch Sanghera

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

International legal discourses of human rights have evolved markedly since 1945 with the codification, implementation and enforcement of human rights as international public law. Despite this progress, human rights seem more pivotal in the world today than ever. What the 'war on terror' has highlighted is that military measures are hopeless if they ignore universal aspirations for social justice and human rights. As the title of the module suggests, the principal focus of this module is to explore the relationship between human rights, political discourses and power. More people that ever before believe strongly in the necessity of the inclusion of human rights considerations when thinking about actions at every level of societal interaction; personal, local, national and international. The use of the concept is, however, frequently misused and the outcome of rights campaigns is often far from the original intention. In exploring these complex issues the module is divided into three parts. In PART I attempts to ground rights in philosophy and international law will be explored. In PART II many theorists are now attempting to go beyond this divide to think through the potential for the concept in the process of social transformation. The social constructionist human rights and power will be introduced, as will postcolonialism. Drawing on this theoretical discussion a series of contemporary issues will be explored in PART III and the focus will be on suitability of the concept in any programme of social transformation by considering the role - nationally and internationally - of the legal system, economic relations, government and non-government organisations.

Assessment pattern

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination= 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1-hour lecture, 1-hour seminar/tutorial

Intended learning outcomes

  • explore the genesis of human rights.
  • Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of competing arguments that centre on the politics of human rights.
  • consider the political implications of various human rights perspectives.
  • critically explore the theory and practice of human rights, by utilising a social constructionist account of human rights and power and postcolonialism.