AH05TJ: Human Rights & Theories of Justice
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Human Rights & Theories of Justice
Human Rights & Theories of Justice
AH05TJ
NFQ Level:
9
ECTS Credits:
10
Liam Herrick and Seán Healy, Ph.D
 To master the theoretical foundations of Human Rights law and principles.
 To examine the historical foundations of International Human Rights Law in the
light of philosophical debates on rights theory, justice and ethics.
 To examine a variety of enforcement mechanisms for the vindication of human
rights including treaty and thematic instruments of the United Nations as well as
regional systems for the protection of Human Rights such as the European
Convention and African Charter systems.
 To gain an advanced understanding of the nexus between international and
domestic legal systems will be explained in the context of the ‘dualist’ system
enshrined in the Irish Constitution. This will lead to a more in-depth consideration
of the status of international human rights norms before the Irish courts and
leading cases taken under the Irish Constitution involving issues of fundamental
rights.
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to
Module Learning Outcomes
(MO)
On completion of this module it is expected that
participants will be able to:
Associated Programme Outcomes
(PO)
MO1 demonstrate a level of literacy in the
theoretical foundations of Human Rights
PO 1, PO 2,
MO2 exhibit a practical understanding of the
mechanisms – national and international –
for the vindication of Human Rights.
PO 1, PO3, PO6
MO3 articulate the evolving ethical framework
within which Human Rights Law has
developed
PO2, PO5, PO8
MO4 understand major theories of justice and
how these impact on social policy
PO 1, PO2, PO8
AH05TJ: Human Rights & Theories of Justice
Pre-requisite Learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not
enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not
enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section
Indicative Context
Theories of Rights and introduction to the evolving ethical framework of Human Rights Law
Historical foundations of UN system and introduction to regional mechanisms
Mechanisms for the vindication of human rights
The Irish experience of international human rights instruments/Human Rights and the Irish Constitution
Theories of Justice
Justice and Utility, Justice and Fairness; Justice & Solidarity; Justice and the State
Assessment Breakdown
Essay:
MO 1, MO 2, MO 3
Essay/Project:
MO 4
%
50%
50%
Coursework Breakdown
Type
Description
Workload
Type
Lecture
Independent Learning
Library
Assignment
Outcome
addressed
% of
Total
Assessment Date
Full-Time Hours per semester
Description
Lecturing input
Self-directed reading and revision
Self and tutor-directed reading of course material
Researching, structuring information, writing up
Hours
Total Workload
AH05TJ: Human Rights & Theories of Justice
Resources
Essential Book Resources
Human Rights:
Students will be given a booklet of readings drawn from primary Human Rights texts as well as some sample cases
and secondary materials taken from journals.
Brighouse, Harry, Justice, Polity, 2004
Fisk Milton (ed) Justice: Key Concepts in Critical Theory NJ: Humanities Press, 1993
Lebacqz Karen Six Theories of Justice Perspectives from Philosophical and Theological Ethics Minneapolis:
Augsburg Publishing, 1986
Rawls John A Theory of Justice London: Oxford University Press, 1973
Essential Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
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Semester Two
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