Business and Human Rights
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| LAWW4110 | Law | 4 | 15 | Spring UK |
- Code
- LAWW4110
- School
- Law
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 15
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
This module considers how business increasingly conducts its operations with responsibility to its stakeholders and to society at large. It examines the emergence of the business and human rights regime, which forms the basis for addressing both legal developments and voluntary initiatives across a spectrum of business and industry sectors and different types of business operating both globally and locally. The module content is diverse and wide-ranging, and draws on case studies in order to foster knowledge about the impacts of business on human rights protection. It considers key issues in the current business and human rights regime, including states' obligation to protect human rights, the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, human rights due diligence and access to remedy for human rights violations by business.
Target Students
Only available to PGT students within the School of Law and exchange students hosted by the School of Law.
Classes
This module is taught in seminar format.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: 15 pages
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
By the end of this module students should: have acquired a deeper understanding of the context for business and human rights and responsible business conduct; be able to describe the key issues and problems in the field of business and human rights; be knowledgeable about the sectors of business and industry and the types of businessthat have the greatest impact on business and human rights, including in conflict zones; be familiar with human rights due diligence of corporations and other business entities and the means by which it is measured, as part of a system of accountability; and be knowledgeable about the current and prospective forms of access to remedy for human rights violations by business.Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge and understanding
The module questions the extent to which business entities are required to act in accordance with international human rights obligations and to examine alternative frameworks for inducing compliance in the absence of direct enforcement. To that end, it promotes a better understanding of the business and human rights regime and the emerging human rights obligations of business. To achieve this, the module aims to advance students’ analytical and discursive skills in relation to the function, scope and development of the business and human rights regime and its wider impact on society.
2. Skills
a) Oral and written communication skills: the module will stimulate oral discussion and debate among students and encourage the formulation of short response ‘briefs’ to topical issues on the subject matter of the module.
b) Intellectual skills: students will develop analytical and discursive skills, particularly with regard to a range of international legal and policy materials.
c) Professional / practical skills: the module will encourage the development of skills which will assist the participants in dealing with the business and human rights in a corporate or law firm capacity.
d) Transferable / key skills: the module will encourage students to think critically about the emerging business and human rights regime, to develop problem-solving skills, and to understand the problems arising from holding corporations accountable for human rights violations.