Not available in 2017/18
LL4C2      Half Unit
World Poverty and Human Rights

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Margot Salomon TW3, 8th floor

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in Inequalities and Social Science, Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSE for You.

Pre-requisites

Some knowledge of public international law is required.

Course content

This course examines world poverty and inequality from the perspective of international law aimed at the protection of human rights. Drawing on rights and obligations, the course considers the duties of states and other actors and the ways in which they may be implicated in the deprivation which has 2.7 billion people concentrated in the South, and many in the North, unable to exercise their minimum essential levels of human rights. While the approach to the course is largely normative and conceptual, it will explore its findings in relation to international players and institutions that impact positively or negatively on human rights today, as well as examine the .application of legal standards and developments to some areas of outstanding concern. Topics to be covered may include: • Poverty as a human rights issue • Human rights, economics and development • The right to development and claims against the public international order • The scope and content of the obligation of international cooperation • The work of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • Human rights and the World Bank, IMF, international trade, investment, and finance • Interrogating the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Teaching

20 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

In 2015-16 this course will have two seminars every two weeks, instead of one seminar per week. Please see timetables for further details.

Formative coursework

Students will receive feedback on work completed during the course.

Indicative reading

G. Abi-Saab, 'The Legal Formulation of the Right to Development', in R-J Dupuy (ed), The Right to Development at the International Level, Hague Academy of International Law (1980);

Duties Sans Frontières: Human Rights and Global Social Justice (International Council on Human Rights Policy, 2003);

A. Eide, 'Human Rights-Based Development in the Age of Economic Globalization' in B.A. Andreassen and S.P. Marks (eds), Development as a Human Right: Legal, Political and Economic Dimensions (2010);

M.E. Salomon, A. Tostensen and W. Vandenhole (eds), Casting the Net Wider: Human Rights, Development and New Duty-Bearers (2007);

D.D. Bradlow, 'Development Decision-Making and the Content of International Development Law', Boston College International and Comparative Law Review  (2004);

M.E. Salomon, Global Responsibility for Human Rights: World Poverty and the Development of International Law (2007);

R. Danino, 'The Legal Aspects of the World Bank's Work on Human Rights' in P. Alston and M. Robinson (eds), Human Rights and Development (2005);

P. Muchlinski, ‘Holistic Approaches to Development and International Investment Law: The Role of International Investment Agreements’ in J. Faundez and C. Tan (eds), International Law, Economic Globalization and Development (2010).

Maastricht Principles on Extraterritorial Obligations of States in the area of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2011).

A detailed reading list will be issued at the first seminar.

Assessment

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the main exam period.

Key facts

Department: Law

Total students 2016/17: Unavailable

Average class size 2016/17: Unavailable

Controlled access 2016/17: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Communication
  • Specialist skills