HUMR5134 – The Right to Peace

Course content

Peace and Conflict studies tend to focus on the causes and dynamics of conflict. This course seeks to explore the normative framework and substantive components of a “Right to Peace”. How do we actively create peace?

We begin with a review of the philosophical origins of the right to peace, followed by legal analysis of relevant international instruments. Special lectures address the substantive components of Peace: Sustainable Development, Fair Trade, Environmental Protection, Gender Equality, Non-Discrimination, Governance, Democracy, Transitional Justice and The Role of International Courts in Pursuing Peace. Particular attention is paid to the role of civil society and non-state actors.

Learning outcome

  • To attain general knowledge of the philosophical origins of the idea of a right to peace, as well as with the debate on its contemporary manifestation in liberal peace theory.
  • To attain general knowledge of the normative framework within international law for the Right to Peace.
  • To attain knowledge of scope of application of non-discrimination and equality in relation to race and gender.
    To attain general knowledge of the principles of sustainable development, environmental protection, and fair trade in
    relation to peace.
  • To attain knowledge of the development of transitional justice and the implementation of accountability measures within transition to peace scenarios
     
  • Skills and General competence: Students write a 15 page paper instead of exam.  Students gain insight as to the consequences of fragmentation in international law and need for creative thinking in terms of addressing the global challenge of attaining peace.  Students are able to explain and analyze the difficulty in attaining a unified approach towards defining peace in international law.  They are asked to contemplate alternative approaches for implementation and enforcement by a variety of institutions at the international and national levels. Students are taught critical perspectives which they can apply in the future to a variety of other contemporary challenges and dilemmas arising within international law..

Admission

You may register for this course if you have admission to one of the Masters programs at The Law Faculty. All applicants must fill the formal prerequisites.

This course is a Masters Level class (in particular PIL, Human Rights, PECOS) open to law and social science students.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisite knowledge

For students studying for the professional degree Master of Laws: Prerequisites for studies as stated in the curriculum for the Law program at The Law Faculty.
Prerequisites for international exchange students: relevant undergraduate studies corresponding to three years at a university level.

Recommended previous knowledge

Prior knowledge of international law and/or human rights is helpful but not required.

Teaching

Lectures.

Examination

15 pages paper with a maximum of 6000 words to be handed in at the end of the semester.

Language of examination

The examination t