Course Description
Introduction to international human rights law in the European Union, alongside an analysis of the most pressing human rights issues facing the EU today.
Athena Title
Human Rights in the EU
Non-Traditional Format
Offered every summer in Ireland as a study abroad course.
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students should expect to: (1) Be capable of describing the content and importance of various international legal instruments affecting the human rights obligations of EU member states, including, but not limited to, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union; (2) Have a strong understanding of the institutions that make up the EU Human Rights system, including the European Court of Human Rights and the European Committee of Social Rights; (3) Be able to intelligently discuss many of the most pressing human rights issues facing EU member states currently; (4) Be able to understand and participate in the public debate over the issues raised in this class, both in Ireland and elsewhere; (5) Have an improved ability to make logical, convincing oral and written arguments.
Topical Outline
I. International Human Rights Law The United Nations Human Rights Regime and its interaction with the EU II. European Human Rights Law The various international conventions that make up human rights law within the EU, e.g., the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Social Charter, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and their various similarities and differences from the corresponding UN treaties III. The European Court of Human Rights The role of the European Court of Human Rights, its rulings, and their importance IV. Human Rights Practices in the EU A survey of current human rights issues within the EU, e.g., the European refugee crisis; restrictions on civil and political rights in Hungary under Orbán; internet privacy; religious freedom and Islam; and discrimination against the Roma V. Human Rights in Ireland A short section covering past and current issues facing Ireland specifically, e.g., reproductive rights and self-determination