Business and Human Rights (LW5111)

The course engages postgraduate students with the topic of business and human rights, exploring questions regarding State obligations and the extent to which business entities such as multinational corporations have human rights responsibilities. It considers developments at the international and domestic level to promote accountability and ensure compliance with emerging standards.


Format:  Tuesdays from 2pm- 5pm in the Seminar Room, Irish Centre for Human Rights.

The course will be taught by weekly seminars, each three hours, over eight weeks. Students are expected to have read all prescribed readings in advance of each seminar, thus requiring independent study of 8-10 hours each week, and will be expected to engage actively in discussion and class activities.


Semester: 2


ECTS: 10


Lecturer: Prof. Shane Darcy


Learning Outcomes: ‌

On successful completion of this course, you will:

  • Demonstrate a thorough and nuanced understanding of the current debates concerning the responsibility and role of businesses with regard to human rights.
  • Have developed a critical awareness of the legal, economic, political and sociological issues that arise with respect to the issue of whether businesses have obligations with respect to human rights
  • Have a deep knowledge of the international and domestic efforts at enforcing accountability of business for actions contrary to human rights.
  • Be able to conduct comprehensive research focused on this subject area and will be familiar with the major literature and policy documents and emerging legal instruments