COURSE PLAN Human Rights Law (Theory)
SECTION I
Semester II Class 1BA/1BBA
Course Code BAL2E1/ Course Human Rights Law
BBL2E1 title
Hours 60 Hours per 5
week
Faculty name Mr. Karan Singh Contact [Link]@christuniversity.i
Chouhan Alias details n
Karan Cabin No. 579
Bodhisattva
Class policies and 1. Students are expected to read the material provided
guidelines before the class commences
2. All submission deadlines are to be strictly followed
3. No use of mobile phones inside of the class
4. Christ University discipline guidelines to be strictly
followed
5. No personal comment to be made inside the class,
including during any discussion, towards anyone
6. Late entry inside the class is not allowed
7. All students have to join the Google classroom
mandatorily
Course Description This course deals with the evolution, development, and
application of the human rights law, including its relevance to
the Indian Context. Furthermore, this course will also provide
an understanding of the interlinking between the Indian
Constitution and Human Rights Law. This Course will also
make the students aware of the several Human Rights
Mechanisms, nationally and internationally, as well as the
challenge that lies in the protection of Human Rights.
Objectives The course is designed to inform the students about the origin
and evolution of human rights and the way they are read into
our Constitution. It will further explore the different challenges
to Human Rights with reference to crime, health, IP, etc. It will
promote a more humanitarian perspective towards the human
rights issues facing not only the Indian society but
internationally.
In this connection, UNIT 1 covers the conceptual and
constitutional aspects along with the provisions about the
National and State Human Rights Commissions. UNIT 2 looks
into the societal challenges and expectations in terms of human
rights. UNIT 3 provides an analysis of criminal infractions and
resultant rights abuse. UNIT 4 is designed to study state action
in juxtaposition with human rights. UNIT 5 looks into workers'
rights from the viewpoint of human rights. UNIT 6 takes stock
of the pivotal role attributed to media in furthering human
rights. UNIT 7 aims at a study of various international
instruments in the field of human rights.
Learning Outcomes for After completion of the course, students would be able to:
the Course
1. Identify the fundamental philosophy and policies
concerning human rights.
2. Summarize the legal effects of international treaties and
conventions on the national human rights jurisprudence.
3. Relate to the on-going debates and current or future
challenges concerning human rights.
4. Critically Analyse the Human rights protection
mechanism, nationally and internationally, concerning
human rights.
5. Formulate the role of State Actors in the protection of
human rights.
Section II
Unit Unit Details Week Hours Pedagogy References
(Starti per
ng Week
and
end
dates)
Unit 1 & 7 1. Human Rights 25 6 Lecture, PPTs 1. Henry J. Steiner, Philip
Discourse: some Nov-1 Documentaries, Alston et al. (eds.),
st
basic concepts. Dec & Discussion International Human
2. The development of 2019 Rights in Context: Law,
Human Rights Materials to be Politics & Morals
worldwide. brought in class: 133-139, 151-158,
1. The Charter 263-264, 269-272,
of the United 275-276, 358-364
Nations. (Oxford University
2. Universal Press, 3rd Ed., 2007).
3. The International 2-9th 6 Declaration of
Bill of Human Dec 2. Andrew Clapham,
Human
Rights: studying the 2019 Human Rights: a very
Rights, 1948.
development and short introduction 1-56
3. The (Oxford Univ. Press,
content of the Civil International
and Political Rights. Oxford, 2007).
Covenant on
● The Universal Civil and 3. Alison Dundes
Declaration of Political Renteln, “The Concept
Rights, 1966. of Human Rights” 83
Anthropos (1988)
Human Rights, 4. International 343-364 & A.H.
1948. (Articles 1-21) Covenant on Robertson, J.G.
Economic, Merrills, Human Rights
● The International
Social and in the World 1-24
Covenant on Civil
Cultural (Universal Pub., Delhi,
and Political Rights
Rights, 1966. 2005).
& the implantation
mechanism thereof. 4. Rhona K. M. Smith,
Texts & Materials on
4. The International
International Human
Bill of Human
Rights 1-27
Rights: studying the
(Routledge-Cavendish
development and
, 2007) & A.H.
content of the
Robertson, J.G.
Economic, Social &
Merrills, Human Rights
Cultural Rights:
in the World 25-34
● The Universal (Universal Pub., Delhi,
Declaration of 2005).
Human Rights,
5. Henry J. Steiner, Philip
1948. (Articles
Alston et. al. (eds.),
22-27).
International Human
Rights in Context: Law,
Politics & Morals 1-17,
313-354, 370-372
(Oxford University
Press, 3rd Ed., 2007)
6. V. Sudhish Pai, Human
Rights, Common Law &
the Judiciary 256 R. N.
Trivedi (ed.), World of
Human Rights: Soli
Sorabjee, A Festschrift
(Universal Law Pub.,
Delhi).
7. Justice S. B. Sinha,
Origin & Concept of
Human Rights 66 R. N.
Trivedi (ed.), World of
Human Rights: Soli
Sorabjee, A Festschrift
(Universal Law Pub.,
Delhi).
8. Mark Tushnet, “An
Essay on Rights” 62
Texas L. Rev. 1363
(1984)
1. The Constitutional 17-21st 5 Lecture, PPTs 1. D.D. Basu, Human
Framework on Dec Documentaries, Rights in
Human Rights. 2019 & Discussion Constitutional Law
Unit 1
2. The Protection of 13-21 (Wadhwa
Human Rights Act, Nagpur, 2005).
1993: Objectives, 2. Abul Hasnat
functions, & Monjurul Kabir,
framework of “Establishing
NHRC & SHRC(s). National Human
Rights
Commissions in
South Asia: A
Critical Analysis of
the Processes and
the Prospects” 2
Asia-Pac. J. on
Hum. Rts. & L.
(2001) 1.
3. Sumanta Banerjee,
“Human Rights in
India in the
Globalised
Context”
Economic and
Political Weekly,
38 (5) Feb. 1-7,
2003 424-425.
4. Rajeev Dhavan,
“Finding Direction
Again? Reflecting
on the 7th Report of
the National
Human Rights
Commission:
1999-2000” 46
JILI (2004) 3.
5. Subhash C.
Kashyap, Human
Rights Debate:
Need for some
fresh approaches
222 R. N. Trivedi
(ed.), World of
Human Rights:
Soli Sorabjee, A
Festschrift
(Universal Law
Pub., Delhi).
6. Bertrand G.
Ramcharan (ed.),
The Protection of
National Human
Rights Institutions
(Martinus Nijhoff,
Boston, 2005).
Unit 2 1. The Universalism & Lecture, PPTs 1. Rhona K. M. Smith,
Cultural Relativism Documentaries, Texts & Materials on
of Human Rights. & Discussion International Human
Rights 29-60
2. The Right to
(Routledge-Cavendish
Environment & the
, 2007).
right to
development. 2. Barbara Stark,
“Marriage Proposals:
3. Human Rights and
From One-Size-Fits-All
the institution of
to Postmodern Marriage
Marriage. 2-15th
Law” 89 Cal. L. Rev.
Jan 13
4. Human Rights & 1479, 2001.
2020
the state policy of
Reverse 3. Clifford Bob, "Dalit
Discrimination Rights Are Human
Rights": Caste
Discrimination,
International Activism,
and the Construction of
a New Human Rights
Issue” 29 (1) Feb. 2007
Human Rights
Quarterly 167-193.
Unit 3, 7 1. Human Rights &
1. Rajeev Dhavan,
&5 Crime against
“Justice, Justice and the
Women:
Lecture, PPTs Best Bakery Case” 30 (2)
a. The Rights of the Documentaries, 2003 India International
women under the & Discussion Centre Quarterly 1-11.
Convention on the
2. Henry J. Steiner, Philip
Elimination of All
Alston et. al. (eds.),
Forms of 16-31st
International Human
Discrimination Jan 14 Rights in Context: Law,
against Women 2020
Politics & Morals
(CEDAW);
183-220 (Oxford
b. Realization of these University Press, 3rd
rights through the Ed., 2007).
statutory
3. Bimal N. Patel,
framework of the
Comprehensive Guide of
Indian laws: viz.,
Law of Human Rights in
The Protection of
Common Wealth
Women from
Domestic Violence Countries (Oscar
Act, 2005, the Publications, 2007).
Indian Penal Code,
4. AR Chowdhary, MJH
1860, The Sexual
Bhuiyan (eds.), Issues
Harassment of
in Human Rights 196
Women at
(Atlantic, Delhi, 2010).
Workplace
(Prevention,
Prohibition and
Redressal) Act,
2013.
2. Human Rights &
Crimes against
Children:
a. The Convention on
the Rights of Child,
1989 (CRC);
b. Realization of these
rights through the
statutory
framework in India:
viz., The Juvenile
Justice (Care &
Protection of
Children) Act, 2000,
Protection of
Children from
Sexual Offences
Act, 2012, the IPC &
the Child-related
offenses, the
Immoral Traffic
Prevention Act,
1986
3. The Rights of Child
& the Child Labour
Norms in India: viz.,
Child Labour
(Prohibition &
Regulation) Act,
1986, Bonded
Labour System
(Abolition) Act,
1976 & the Factories
Act, 1948.
4. Communal
Violence & Human
Rights in India: The
Communal
Violence
(Prevention,
Control and
Rehabilitation of
Victims) Bill, 2005
Unit 5 1. The rights of the Lecture, PPTs 1. Henry J. Steiner, Philip
hawkers in India. Documentaries, Alston et. al. (eds.),
& Discussion International Human
2. The right to health
Rights in Context: Law,
& access to
Politics & Morals
medicines.
175-179 (Oxford
1-7th
University Press, 3rd
Feb 6
Ed., 2007).
2020
2. Awasthi, Law Relating
to Protection of Human
Rights. (Orient Pub.
Co., Delhi, 2000).
Unit 6 & 2 1. Censorship of 8-14th 6
Media vis-e-vis the Feb
right to freedom of 2020
speech &
expression. 1. Upendra Baxi, The
Future of Human Rights
2. The right to Lecture, PPTs,
200-233, 276-301
Intellectual Documentaries,
(Oxford University
Property viz-e-vis, & Discussion
Press, 7th Edn., New
free expression &
Delhi).
access to
information.
3. Human Rights &
Consumer Culture.
Unit 4 1. The fundamental 14-29t 10 1. Justice S. B. Sinha,
right to liberty hh feb Origin & Concept of
vis-e-vis., the right 2020 Human Rights 66 R. N.
of an accused Trivedi (ed.), World of
person to get bail. Human Rights: Soli
Lecture, PPTs, Sorabjee, A Festschrift
2. Role of the Public Documentaries, (Universal Law Pub.,
Interest & Discussion Delhi).
Litigation/Pro-bon
o litigation and the 2. AR Chowdhary, MJH
protection & Bhuiyan (eds.), Issues
promotion of in Human Rights 233
Human Rights. (Atlantic, Delhi, 2010).
3. Police Atrocities 3. Gopal Subramanium,
and Human Rights Public Interest
Litigation & the
Development of Human
Rights in India, 159 R.
N. Trivedi (ed.), World
of Human Rights: Soli
Sorabjee, A Festschrift
(Universal Law Pub.,
Delhi).
SECTION III
Assessment outline:
CIA I CIA II CIA III ESE Attendance
20 50 20 100
Marks Marks Marks Marks
10% 25% 10% 50% 5%
Mapping: A template to map the Learning Outcomes of the course against the components
of assessment is given below:
Learning Outcomes of the course Components of assessment
CIA CIA CIA CIA ESE
I II III A III B
1. Identify the fundamental philosophy and policies Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
concerning human rights.
2. Summarize the legal effects of international Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
treaties and conventions on the national human
rights jurisprudence.
3. Relate to the on-going debates and current or Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
future challenges concerning human rights.
4. Critically Analyse the Human rights protection No Yes Yes Yes Yes
mechanism, nationally and internationally,
concerning human rights.
5. Formulate the role of State Actors in the No Yes Yes Yes Yes
protection of human rights.
SECTION IV
Assessment Description: Students will be assessed on their ability to understand the
human rights discourse and to be able to apply the human rights law to real world issues.
Assessment will check if the students can comprehend the concept of human rights and
whether it leads to a change in their perspective to critically analyze legal and sociological
aspects concerning human rights while providing solutions for the same.
CIA –I: INDIVIDUAL WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 20 MARKS
Assessment Students have to identify the current Human Rights issues and
Description
write a research report.
Individual CIA I: Students will have to write a report on a human rights
Assignment Details issue, which they may select before the given deadline subject to
the approval of the faculty. Students will be divided into a cluster
of five. All members of the group will be marked similarly, with
certain exceptions and discretion of the faculty. The lower limit of
words shall be 2500 up to infinity. The bluebook method of
citation is mandatory. It will contain 20 Marks.
Learning Outcomes On the completion of this assignment, students will be able to:
● Identify the fundamental philosophy and policies
concerning human rights.
● Relate to the on-going debates and current or future
challenges concerning human rights.
● Summarize the legal effects of international treaties and
conventions on the national human rights jurisprudence.
● Formulate the role of State Actors in the protection of
human rights.
CIA I: Rubrics
Rubrics 4 3 2 1 0
Introduction to The The The There is no No
the Issue introduction introduction introduction clear Introduction
is inviting, clearly states states the introduction
states the the main main topic, of the main
main topic topic and but does not topic or
and previews the adequately structure of
previews the structure of preview the the paper.
the paper, structure of
structure of but is not the paper
the paper. particularly nor is it
inviting to particularly
the reader. inviting to
the reader.
Citations All sources All sources All sources Some sources No Citations
(information (information (information are not
and and graphics) and accurately
graphics) are are graphics) are documented.
accurately accurately accurately
documented documented, documented,
in the but a few are but many are
desired not in the not in the
format. desired desired
format. format.
Identifying the Relevant, Supporting Identifcation Identification No
several aspects telling, details and of a correct which is not Identifiation
of the issue/s quality information human relevant to
details give are relevant, rights issue human rights
the reader but one key but not its issues or
important issue or other aspects challenges
information portion of the
that goes storyline is
beyond the unsupported.
obvious or
predictable.
Quality of Information Information Information Information No Topics
information clearly clearly clearly has little or were
relates to the relates to the relates to the nothing to do addressed.
main topic. main topic. It main topic. with the
It includes provides 1-2 No details main topic.
several supporting and/or
supporting details examples are
details and/or given.
and/or examples.
examples.
Organization Information Information Information The Not
is very is organized is organized, information organized.
organized with but appears to be
with well-construc paragraphs disorganized.
well-constru ted are not 8)
cted paragraphs. well-constru
paragraphs cted.
and
subheadings.
CIA III
CIA III: Documentary on a Human Rights issue
CIA III will be divided in two parts. The cluster of student will have to
Assessment
produce a documentary on a human rights issue along with a concluding
Description
remarks report which will formulate the role of State actors or any other
solution to a real world human rights issue.
Individual CIA III A: Short Documentary: A cluster of students are expected to make a
Assignment short documentary on the Human Rights Issue, which they have identified
Details earlier and transform it into a documentary showing human rights aspects.
All members of the group have to be a part of the documentary. It will
contain 15 marks.
CIA III B: The ‘Concluding Remarks Report’ has to be submitted for the same
documentary. It will contain 5 marks. It should contain at least 1000 words.
All Students of the cluster will be marked equally.
● Summarize the legal effects of international treaties and conventions
on the national human rights jurisprudence.
Learning
● Relate to the on-going debates and current or future challenges
Outcome
concerning human rights.
● Critically Analyse the Human rights protection mechanism, nationally
and internationally concerning human rights.
CIA III A: Documentary
Rubrics 4 3 2 1
Presentation Well-rehearsed Rehearsed with Delivery not Delivery not smooth
with smooth fairly smooth smooth, but able and audience
delivery that delivery that to maintain attention often lost.
holds audience holds audience interest of the
attention. attention most audience most
of the time. of the time.
Content Covers topic Includes Includes Content is minimal
in-depth with essential essential OR there are several
details and knowledge information factual errors.
examples. about the topic. about the topic,
Subject Subject but there are 1-2
knowledge is knowledge factual errors.
excellent. appears to be
good.
Originality The product The product Uses other Uses other people's
shows a large shows some people’s ideas ideas, but does not
amount of original (giving them give them credit.
original thought. Work credit), but there
thought. Ideas shows new is little evidence
are creative and ideas and of original
inventive. insights. thinking.
Knowledge All students All students Most students Most students
showed showed showed needed note cards
excellent excellent excellent to talk and to
knowledge of knowledge of knowledge of answer questions.
content, needing content, but 1-2 content, but 1-2
no cues and students once often needed
showing no needed note note cards to
hesitation in cards to talk or talk or answer
talking or answer questions.
answering questions.
questions.
CIA III B:
Rubrics 4 3 2 1
Original Original Ideas Some original Minor original No original
Solutions providing a ideas input providing solution
solution for solution
human rights
issues