LLIR9513 Interdisciplinary Approaches to International Law and International Human Rights

This topic will introduce students to an important interdisciplinary research field that examines how international law and international human rights function in culture. Whether as lawyers, diplomats, activists, we face global challenges that require of us the ability to understand the relationship between legal and other important cultural discourses. This topic will analyse how the representation of human rights and international law shape our understandings of these fields, and asks how these perspectives can enrich our work in both.

During the topic we will discuss the theoretical debates and methodologies that have been used in interdisciplinary scholarship about international law and human rights, before examining examples from civil society activism, film making, and literature. As there will be some longer texts in this topic reading lists will be released early to give students a chance to read in advance.

This topic aims to teach students to:

• Understand the theories behind interdisciplinary approaches to international law and human rights, including debates in these fields
• Read a variety of texts from policy, government, civil society, and the arts with an understanding of their meaning in international legal and human rights
• Think critically about the nature and effectiveness of international law and international human rights, through their cultural representation
• Develop the skills of scholarly research, writing, and critical analysis

1. Understand the purpose of using interdisciplinary perspectives to analyse international law and international human rights
2. Read for legal and human rights meaning in texts from a variety of sources
3. Evaluate the use of non-legal texts as means for understanding international law and international human rights
4. Work effectively as a member of a team
5. Communicate clearly and effectively in written work (including appropriate citation and referencing)