Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights

Human Rights encompass a theoretical, philosophical, practical and legal system which advocates the position that individuals are the bearers of basic rights fundamental to human dignity. The BA with Human Rights examines the philosophical basis, history and origin of human rights. The concept of human rights is closely allied with ethics and morality but while there is widespread acceptance of the importance of human rights, there is confusion as to their precise nature and role.

The BA with Human Rights programme is an innovative four-year degree course that introduces students to this increasingly important specialism, emphasising its historical evolution from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 to its contemporary relevance as a subject and a body of law. The human rights system in international law seeks to regulate the relationship between states and individuals and defines a series of rights which states are obliged to uphold.

The BA with Human Rights is unique in several respects: it is the only undergraduate course of its kind in Ireland as until now human rights qualifications have only been offered at Masters or PhD levels; it is a trans-disciplinary programme which allows students to combine specialist study in human rights law and theory with general Arts subjects; and it is a four-year programme which includes an obligatory period of work placement in third year, allowing students to experience the reality of a career in the field of human rights. In addition to the specialism in human rights, three subjects are taken in First Arts from the 20 subjects on offer. Subjects are organised in seven timetable groups and not more than one subject may be taken from any one group. In second year, two of the subjects chosen at First Arts plus Human Rights are studied. In third year, through the work placement with a human rights organisation, the student will pursue a full year of study relating to this specialism. In fourth year, students complete their studies in their two degree subjects, and will normally incorporate in their final projects knowledge gained in their study of human rights in the previous three years.

The course examines a range of issues that have been brought into human rights doctrine and discourse. Students are introduced to the basic principles of non-discrimination, equality and human dignity. The course offers an introduction to the United Nations system for the promotion and protection of human rights while also examining regional and national systems and the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The specialism Human Rights will be delivered in the timetable of Arts subject group 2, and may therefore not be studied together with the subjects Legal Studies, Psychology/Psychological Studies or Celtic Civilisation. Please refer to the subject groupings page.

The Bachelor of Arts with Human Rights is an exciting four- year degree course offered by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies in conjunction with the Irish Centre for Human Rights. The programme is unique in several respects, chiefly because it is the first and only undergraduate course of its kind in the Republic of Ireland, thus allowing undergraduates to specialise in a field that was previously reserved to postgraduate study. The course examines the philosophical basis, history and origin of human rights while remaining grounded in the reality of events that have shaped the world. During the first two years of the programme, students are based on campus in the National University of Ireland, Galway and engage with human rights discourse through class-based teaching at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, supported by field trips and lectures by visiting experts.

Year One

In their first year, students will be introduced to the basic principles of human rights through an in-depth exploration of the foundations of this field as contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The course will also offer an introduction to the United Nations system for the promotion and protection of human rights while also examining regional and national systems, and the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Students will further participate in weekly class discussions on current human rights developments.

Year Two

A more thematic approach to human rights analysis is adopted in the second year of the course during which historical themes and contemporary issues are raised and examined so that students develop an understanding of how human rights interact and potentially conflict with each others in specific situations. The second year of the course will therefore enable students to analyse the difficulties of realising human rights on the ground and will teach them to think practically when approaching human rights problems in reality. Topics are subject to the availability of lecturers in any one year, but subjects which may be covered include liberty and detention, human rights and armed conflict, minority rights, universality and cultural relativism as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Students are also given human rights advocacy training to equip them with the skills to analyse human rights movements and campaigns and familiarise them with the practicalities of engaging in such efforts.

Year Three

During the third year of the programme students are required to undertake a work placement outside of the university setting to develop practical skills and experience the reality of a career in the field of human rights. This placement is similar in style to a traditional internship; however, it departs slightly from that format as it is an integrated requirement of an academic course. Although they may change from year to year, placements to date have been secured around the world – from Dublin to London, Paris, Los Angeles, Montreal, San Ramon in Nicaragua and Durban. Although placements can take place anytime between May and the following August, most placements follow the academic calendar.

Year Four

You will complete your studies in your two core degree subjects and may incorporate in your final year projects the specialist skills and knowledge you have gained in human rights over your previous three years.