Modules and courses

The M.A. Human Rights addresses the growing importance of human rights in all areas of society and academia. The course programme covers fundamental challenges as well as current issues. It pursues an interdisciplinary approach by taking the political, philosophical and legal dimensions of human rights into account.

We have recently made some changes to the programme structure that will come into effect for students beginning the programme in the winter semester of 2023/24 or later. The group project module will be replaced with a module introducing key practical skills for human rights graduates. In the final semester, students will be able to choose between two different thesis options. They can either write one long in-depth research thesis or they can combine a shorter thesis with an internship. Students will be counselled on their choice at the end of the second semester. You can find the current and new structure below:

 

Module Overview (NEW—from winter 2023/24 onwards)

 

1st Semester: Foundations (30 ECTS credits)

  • Human Rights Philosophy (5 ECTS)
  • Human Rights Politics (5 ECTS)
  • Human Rights Law (5 ECTS)
  • Human Rights Research Methods (5 ECTS)
  • Actors in Human Rights Politics (5 ECTS)
  • Cases in Human Rights Law (5 ECTS)

2nd Semester: Specialised Courses (30 ECTS credits)

  • Interdisciplinary Approach to Non-Discrimination (5 ECTS)
  • Key Skills (5 ECTS)
  • Specialised Aspects of Human Rights Protection I—IV (5 ECTS each)
    • Four specialisation seminars are to be chosen from the list of offered seminars. Seminar topics may include:
      • Business and Human Rights
      • Children’s Rights
      • Freedom of Religion or Belief
      • Gender and Human Rights
      • Human Rights in Africa
      • Human Rights of Refugees
      • International Criminal Law
      • Philosophy of Human Rights
      • The Inter-American Human Rights System
      • The Internet and Human Rights
      • Transitional Justice
    • Please note that not all seminars will be offered every year.

3rd Semester:

  • A: Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS)

OR

  • B1: Master’s Thesis (15 ECTS)
  • B2: Internship (15 ECTS) 

Module Overview (current)

 

1st Semester: Foundations (30 ECTS credits)

Module 1: Principles and Methodology (10 ECTS credits)

  • Lecture: Human Rights Philosophy
  • Seminar: Human Rights Methods
  • Tutorial: Research and Writing Exercise

Module 2: Human Rights Politics (10 ECTS credits)

  • Lecture: The Politics of Human Rights
  • Seminar: Human Rights and the EU

Module 3: Human Rights Law (10 ECTS credits)

  • Lecture: Legal Protection of Human Rights
  • Seminar: Leading Cases of Human Rights Law

2nd Semester: Specialised Courses (30 ECTS credits)

Module 4: Interdisciplinary Approach to Non-Discrimination (5 ECTS)

Module 5: Project Work (5 ECTS)

Modules 6–9: Specialised Aspects of Human Rights Protection I—IV (5 ECTS each)

Four specialisation seminars are to be chosen from the list of offered seminars. Please note that not all seminars will be offered every year.

3rd Semester: Master Thesis (30 ECTS credits)

Students are required to register their thesis in time with the programme secretary. The completed and signed registration form needs to be submitted at the beginning of the thesis process.

We also have a thesis guide that includes instructions and guidelines which need to be followed.