557 International Human Rights Law (Harrington)

LAW 557

International Human Rights Law

(Harrington)

Prerequisite courses: LAW 506 is recommended 

Prerequisite for: None

Instructor: Professor Joanna Harrington

Course credit: 3

Method of presentation: seminar combining lectures and discussion

METHOD OF EVALUATION

A two-page note (15%), a five-minute oral presentation in class (10%), and a legal research paper of no more than 5000 words (inclusive of footnotes) on a current topic of international human rights law (75%).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the international legal protection of human rights, focusing on the international treaties negotiated by states at both the UN and regional levels that protect and promote a wide variety of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. Various human rights are considered, from civil and political rights such as the right to life, the right to a fair trial, and the right to freedom of expression, to economic and social rights, such as the right to health and the right to water, as well as current hot topics such as the rights of Indigenous peoples, a human right to a sustainable environment, and the drafting of a “business and human rights” treaty. The course also examines the institutions and mechanisms available under international law for the promotion and protection of this wide array of human rights obligations, and the domestic implementation of Canada’s human rights obligations at the national level.

Note that the phrase “human rights law” is not limited to anti-discrimination law. The right to equality is an important human right, but it is not the only human right to be examined in this course. Note too that the “international” in the title reflects the reality that “International Human Rights Law” is a well-recognized field within international law. A foundational course in public international law, such as LAW 506 or its equivalent in your pre-law studies, is recommended as a prerequisite or co-requisite. Students with an interest in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and constitutional litigation will also find this course of interest.

Looking for experiential (practice-related) learning? Legal research and effective written communication skills have been identified as relevant to the practice of law by the Federation of Law Societies of Canada.

SPECIAL COMMENTS

Description updated 2022-23. Please contact the instructor for any specific questions you may have related to this particular course section.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

TBA