https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/R_Hum.ri.proThis course focuses on human rights law in Europe. While there are many overlapping systems of human rights protection applying to European countries and citizens, this course focuses on the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Upon completion of the course, students will have a basic understanding of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), its significance in European societies, and the development of human rights protection in Europe. Students will moreover be able to draft legal answers to questions for which they have to identify relevant facts, legal provisions, and case law. They will moreover be able to write in a scholarly manner about human rights in a societal context. The learning objectives of this course can be enumerated as follows: The Master’s graduate is able to work and think at an academic level and has a thorough and specialist knowledge and understanding of at least one sub-area of law, including the theoretical principles of his/her sub-area; is aware of the social context in which law and the lawyer operate and the ethical responsibility that this entails. Problem-solving skills: is able to analyse and interpret a complex case and to come up with legal solutions independently; is able to recognise, analyse and solve complex legal problems. In terms of research and presentation skills, the student:is able to communicate with colleagues and other professionals in word and in writing, in a manner appropriate to the knowledge level of the receiving party; is able to ensure that the student’s knowledge of the sub-area is always up to date and being able to specialize in other sub-areas.The course focuses on selected areas of human rights law, in order to allow the students to understand the general dynamics, in terms of examining a human rights violation, the overarching principles and the institutional structure. Selected areas include for instance:Right to family and private life Freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination Procedures before the ECtHR Interpretation and scope of the ECHRFreedom of assembly and association Prohibition of ill-treatmentRight to life Personal liberty and security The course does not expressly include issue of human rights for migrants (see other elective courses).The course is composed out of two seminar session (1,45 hours) per week. Students are expected to do readings before the seminars and to participate actively. Each module covers one week and includes: Lecture on specific human rights under the ECHR or some cross-cutting topics related to their judicial application Discussion of at least one judgment of the ECtHR illustrating the judicial application of the rights discussed that week Discussion of the homework assignment aimed to prepare the students for the exam format In-class discussion based on group or individual work Seminars are interactive and require participation of students as they are based on group works for questions, group work and discussions regarding the materials.The assessment is based on: 30% of the grade consists of the Moot Court The mid-term assessment consists of a Moot Court. The Moot Court focuses on the human rights and the steps of checking their violations discussed in weeks 1-4. Students are divided into smaller groups to represent one party in the procedure before the European Court of Human Rights. The case is presumed to be admissible, so that the Moot Court focuses on substantive arguments. Two cases are simulated in the Moot Court, so that each group acts as applicant/defendant in one case and as judges in the other case. The cases are published one week before the Moot Court. Further instructions in a separate document. 70 % of the grade consists of a final exam The final exam consists of 4-6 open questions, which the students answer based on the course materials, readings and exercises in class. The open questions include short scenarios requiring students to apply their knowledge about the procedural and substantive aspects of human rights protection under the ECHR. Students can bring study materials into the exam (textbook, notes, judgments etc.), but no electronic devices (laptops, mobile phones etc.).Apart from regular students, the course is also available for:Students from other universities/facultiesExchange students (level: third bachelor year and master)Contractors (students who pay for one course)Courses from a master at the faculty can only be taken as a secondarycourse if you have a diploma that gives access to the relevant master/specialization and if you are enrolled in a master..