Human Rights Law

How should human rights law apply to suspected terrorists? What does freedom of expression mean when published material may be considered obscene?

Our introductory Human Rights Law short course explores these and other complex questions, helping you develop an understanding of fundamental human rights and the rights and obligations of states and individuals.

Delivered over 10 online sessions, the course examines the application of human rights law across areas including family law, criminal law, refugee law and employment law. You will explore current and complex human rights issues through lively discussion and debate, covering topics including the treatment of non-nationals, freedom of expression, liberty and security, and the protection of fundamental rights.

The course provides an opportunity to consider how human rights principles operate in different legal and social contexts, develop your understanding of key human rights issues and engage critically with contemporary debates.

This introductory course is ideal if you have a keen interest in human rights law and want to explore the subject before committing to further study. It can also provide a valuable taster for those considering studying a law degree.

Who is it for?

This entry-level course is ideal for anyone with a personal or professional interest in human rights, the legal system and contemporary human rights issues.

Timetable

This human rights law course takes place every Tuesday evening for 10 weeks.

City St George's Short Courses follow the academic year, delivering courses over three terms:

• Autumn - October
• Spring - January
• Summer - April

Benefits

By completing this course, you will:

• Develop your understanding of fundamental human rights and their application within the legal system.
• Explore topical and complex human rights issues through lively debate and discussion.
• Examine how human rights law applies across areas including criminal, family, refugee and employment law.
• Learn from a professional lawyer with relevant practical experience.
• Study flexibly online with access to digital learning materials.
• Gain an introduction to human rights law that can help inform future study in law.

You will explore:

• Human rights law and its impact on everyday life.
• Human rights within its wider legal context.
• How human rights law interacts with other legal disciplines.
• How to analyse and apply the provisions of the Human Rights Act.
• The legal principles surrounding torture and the treatment of non-nationals.
• Liberty and security, including police powers.
• The right to life and its protection under human rights law.
• Contempt of court and its relationship with human rights.
• Public order and freedom of association.
• Freedom of expression, including issues surrounding obscenity.
• Privacy and secrecy.
• Discrimination and human rights.
• Human rights considerations in relation to terrorism.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain key principles of human rights law and their relevance to everyday life.
• Understand how human rights law operates within the wider legal system.
• Identify how human rights law interacts with other legal disciplines.
• Analyse and apply relevant provisions of the Human Rights Act to legal issues.
• Discuss and critically engage with contemporary human rights issues.

The course combines lectures, group discussions and opportunities to present personally prepared topics. Your tutor may also suggest written work to supplement the lectures, while in-class exercises may be used to test and reinforce your knowledge.

You will receive an official City St George’s, University of London certificate of completion if you attend more than 70% of classes.

This is a short course and is not formally accredited or assessed for academic credit.

No formal qualifications or prior knowledge are required. You simply need an enthusiasm for human rights law and an interest in the subject.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.

• Amos, M. (2021), Human Rights Law, 3rd edition, Hart Publishing.
• Fenwick, H. and Phillipson, G. (2017), Public Law and Human Rights, 4th edition, Routledge.
• Gearty, C. (2007), Civil Liberties, Oxford University Press.
• Human Rights Act 1998, available via legislation.gov.uk.