To examine key debates relating to the interaction between news media and human rights. To subject the underlying rationale for media representation and reporting of critical human rights issues to scrutiny. To assess and examine specific cases of media and human rights interaction.

(LO1) Students will be familiar with the key theories of human rights and the development of international norms of human rights.

(LO2) Students will be familiar with political and institutional structures involved in addressing human rights.

(LO3) Students will be familiar with the historical and current changes in the relations between media and human rights.

(LO4) Students will be able to understand and explore a range of salient media issues which relate specifically to the definition, construction, protection or abuse of human rights.

(LO5) Students will acquire in-depth knowledge, using case studies of specific issues that are problematising and, at times, re-defining the relations between media and human rights.

(S1) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation.

(S2) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills).

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Influencing skills – argumentation.

(S4) Time and project management - Personal organisation.

(S5) Information skills - Information accessing: [Locating relevant information] [Identifying and evaluating information sources].

(S6) Research skills - Awareness of /commitment to academic integrity.

1. Introduction and overview of the module. 2. What are human rights? 3. Monitoring and enforcement regime for human right.   4. Guest lecture: UNHCR. 5. Guest lecture: Human trafficking. 6. Asylum and immigration. 7. Reading week. 8. Humanitarian intervention. 9. Terrorism and war on terror. 10. Torture and genocide. 11. Freedom of speech. 12. Assessment clinic.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures will introduce theories and examples.
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: The lectures are designed to give students a broad introduction to key areas and debates; they are intended to facilitate student reading and to highlight issues that should be explored in 'out of class' study time and in the seminars.

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Seminars for group discussion and activities.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: The seminars are designed to explore particular issues and debates in more detail than can be achieved during lectures; they will enable students to clarify and develop their understanding of their reading; to learn from, and to question and explore, information and arguments presented by peers; to allow scope to present in findings through discussion of independent reading; to give students the opportunity to raise questions and suggest possible answers; and provide important o pportunities to ensure preparedness for the assessment tasks and to structure and motivate independent study.