Dr Kai Moller NAB 7.01

This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MSc in European Studies: Ideas and Identities, MSc in European Studies: Ideas and Identities (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Politics and Government in the European Union and MSc in Politics and Government in the European Union (LSE and Sciences Po). This course is not available as an outside option.

This is a capped course (15 students). Students are required to obtain permission from the teaching department to take this course.

No prior knowledge of law in general or human rights law in particular is required.

The European Convention on Human Rights is an international treaty which was drafted shortly after the end of WW II and came into force in 1953. One of its remarkable features is that individuals who think that their human rights have been violated can take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which has the final authority on the interpretation of the Convention. In the past half century, the Strasbourg court has developed a comprehensive jurisprudence on human rights and has become one of the most important and most highly respected human rights courts in the world. This course will offer an introduction to the law of the Convention, in particular by studying and critically analysing the case law on certain important rights. In the final sessions we will take a more abstract perspective and study cutting-edge scholarship on the theory of European human rights law. Topics include: An introduction to the European Convention. Positive and negative obligations in Europe and the U.S. Proportionality and the margin of appreciation. The right to life. Freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The right to private life and the protection of morals. The right to freedom of religion and the issue of religious dress. The right to freedom of expression, especially: blasphemous speech, obscene speech and hate speech. The right to freedom of association and 'militant democracy'. Theories of European human rights law. 

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

One 2,000 word essay.

There is no formal textbook, but interested students may find the following book helpful: Mowbray, Cases and Materials on the European Convention on Human Rights, 3rd ed, OUP 2012.

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