Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Approach

The course, Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Approach, is a programme course given within the Master's Programme in Social Work and Human Rights within the Faculty of Social Sciene. The course is core course.

To be eligible for the coursea Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, or in related topics, and proficiency in English are required.

This course lays the foundation for a broad interdisciplinary approach to human rights in the context of social work, both as a profession and as an academic field. It provides an introduction to the international human rights system and transnational social work through the main themes of the overarching Master’s Programme, i.e. welfare systems, globalisation, poverty, inequality, and the profession of social work. In particular, the course provides deeper knowledge of the relevance of human rights to the issues of gender, ethnicity/race, children’s wellbeing, people that are differently abled, migration, conflicts and wars, sexual orientation, as well as public health.

After completion of the course the student is expected to

Knowledge and understanding

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of the international human rights system and its constraints, possibilities and applications

• have achieved a deeper understanding of transnational social work from a human rights perspective

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of human rights discourses from a historical point of view

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of legal aspects of the human rights systems and their constraints and opportunities

• have achieved a deeper knowledge of the implementation, monitoring, progress, setbacks, and failures in the context of human rights

Competence and skills

• be able to describe and critically reflect upon central human rights instruments (e.g. the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights) in a comparative way

• find and critically review the role of different actors to the realm of human rights and the context of transnational social work, and be able to present this verbally and in writing

• autonomously and critically analyse and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the human rights discourse from a historical point of view

• find and utilise legal instruments on human rights for their potential use in transnational social work

• articulate and critically reflect upon laws and social work that are intended to protect, promote, and implement human rights

• describe and critically reflect upon different instruments of the human rights system, including their constraints and opportunities, to promote social development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people

Judgement and approach

• develop their own interdisciplinary values, attitudes, and analytical competence in the intersection of human rights and social work.

The course consists of sessions in the form of lectures and seminars. In terms of activities, the students are to carry out independent studies, group work, oral presentations, and written submissions; all of which are to be conducted through a problem- and solution-oriented approach.

Language of instruction: English

The intended learning outcomes are examined on the basis of five seminars and two associated examination assignments associated with the last two seminars. The seminars require compulsory attendance and and active participation, which may imply written submissions. In the event of absence from or insufficient participation, a replacement assignment must be submitted. In the event of absence from or insufficient participation at more than two compulsory sessions, a replacement assignment is not sufficient. In this case, the student has to participate in the equivalent session at a future course occasion.

The seminars are graded Pass (G) or Fail (U). The examination assignments, which are graded separately from the last two seminars, are assessed with the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U). If the assignment receives the grade Fail (U) but is judged to be close to the limit for the grade Pass (G), supplementation must be allowed.

If the student who has failed twice on the same examination element wishes to change examiner for the next examination session, such request should be submitted in writing to the department and must be approved unless there are special reasons on the contrary (HF Chapter 6, 22§).

If the student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special pedagogical support, the examiner may, in case it is compatible with the intended course learning outcomes and provided that unreasonable resources are not required, decide to give the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination.

In the event that a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the regular examination session) for a period of at least one year, however, no longer than two years after the course has ended/changed. With regard to internships and work-based education, the corresponding applies, but with a limitation to only one additional examination session.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For the grade Pass (G), it is required that the intended course learning outcomes have been achieved and that the student has actively participated in all compulsory elements. For Pass with Distinction (VG) it is also required that the grade Pass with Distinction has been obtained for the last two examination assignments.

The course is evaluated individually through an anonymous written form with questions on course administration, teaching, literature, assessment, student work-load and suggestions for improvements. Verbal evaluations could also be conducted with the main tutors. The evaluation results will be communicated to the students and function as a guide for developing the course further.

The main forms of learning are through lectures and seminars.