Not available in 2021/22
SP416      Half Unit
International Planning and Children's Rights

This information is for the 2021/22 session.

Teacher responsible

Prof Eileen Munro OLD2.33 and Dr Armine Ishkanian OLD1.13

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Human Rights, MSc in International Social and Public Policy, MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Development), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Migration) and MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Non-Governmental Organisations). This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Course content

This is an interdisciplinary course that explores the links between child rights and child poverty at all levels of development in rich and poor countries. The social and economic as well as the civil and political rights of children, as defined in recent international laws, charters and Conventions, are examined in relation to the conditions, especially poverty and multiple deprivation, experienced by many children. Human rights theories as a basis for international and social policies will be a focus of attention. There has to be universal planning and not only specific proposals to deal with serious violations of rights. Issues of child labour, the violations of war, cultural discrimination against girl children and the right to a minimally adequate family income will be discussed in relation to the roles played by international agencies, Trans National Corporations, governments and NGOs.

Teaching

10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of lectures in the ST.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.

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Indicative reading

H J Steiner & P Alston, International Human Rights in Context, Oxford University Press, 2000; P Townsend & D Gordon (Eds), World Poverty: New Policies to Defeat an Old Enemy, Policy Press, 2002; D Gordon, et al, Child Poverty in the Developing World, Policy Press, 2003; K Watkins, Rigged Rules and Double Standards: Trade, Globalisation and the Fight Against Poverty, London, World Development Movement, 2002; C Chinkin, 'The United Nation Decade for the Elimination of Poverty: What Role for International Law?', Current Legal Problems 2001, Oxford University Press, 2002; M Flekkoy & N Kaufman, The participation rights of the child. London, Jessica Kinglsey, 1997; D Fottrell (Ed), Revisiting Children's Rights: 10 Years of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, The Hague and London, Kluwer Law International, 2000; ILO, Social Security: A New Consensus, Geneva, 2001; ILO, P.Townsend, The Right to Social Security and National Development: Lessons from OECD Experience for Low-income Countries, Discussion paper 18, ILO, 2007; A. Hall and J. Midgley, Social Policy for Development, London, Sage, 2004; J. Madeley, Big Business, Poor peoples: The Impact of Trans National Corporations on the World's Poor, London, Zed Books; UNICEF, A League Table of Child Poverty in Rich Nations, Innocenti Report, Florence, 2000; H Cunningham & P Viazzo, Child Labour in Historical Perspective 1800-1995, UNICEF, 1996; G. Lansdown, Evolving Capacities of Children: Implications for the Exercise of Rights, UNICEF Innocenti Centre, Florence, 2005; W.A. Corsaro, The Sociology of Childhood (2nd ed), Sage, 2006; R. Smith, Textbook on International Human Rights, Oxford University Press, 2005; D. Gordon, R. Parker, F. Loughran and P. Heslop, Disabled Children in Britain, London, TSO, 2000. Redmond G, 2008, Children's Perspectives on Economic Adversity: A Review of the Literature, Unicef Innocenti Centre, Florence, Discussion Paper.

Assessment

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

Course selection videos

Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.

Important information in response to COVID-19

Please note that during 2021/22 academic year some variation to teaching and learning activities may be required to respond to changes in public health advice and/or to account for the differing needs of students in attendance on campus and those who might be studying online. For example, this may involve changes to the mode of teaching delivery and/or the format or weighting of assessments. Changes will only be made if required and students will be notified about any changes to teaching or assessment plans at the earliest opportunity.

Key facts

Department: Social Policy

Total students 2020/21: Unavailable

Average class size 2020/21: Unavailable

Controlled access 2020/21: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Leadership
  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Specialist skills