Human Rightsand Genocide Studies

MA in

Kingston University London

HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENOCIDE STUDIES

M A S T E R O F A R T S I N

What you study The course takes place over three semesters. In the first two semesters you will look at the legaland institutional frameworks within which humanrights have been developed; at case studies ingenocide and mass violence; at some of theresponses that have been mounted to massatrocities, including efforts to prevent or haltgenocide; and at issues involved in efforts ofhumanitarian intervention.

In the third semester, there will be an internship ina human rights organisation which will provide anopportunity to gain some work experience and touse your academic knowledge in real-lifesituations. Alongside this, you will carry out anextended original research piece on a topic ofyour own choice

CareersThe knowledge and skills acquired on this coursewill be valuable in a range of career settings, suchas:

� Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)� Governmental organisations� International, transnational and regional

organisations� Commercial and not-for-profit companies� Universities and research institutions

Course overviewIn recent years there has been a growingacademic and practical interest in human rightsand the separate but related issue of genocide,with an increasing concern as to how genocidemight be prevented or halted. The joint EuropeanMaster of Arts in Human Rights and GenocideStudies, is concerned directly with these majorissues of our time. It is a unique inter-disciplinarypostgraduate degree programme and the first ofits kind in Europe, involving five Europeaninstitutions and offering a curriculum which isinternational in design, scope and content. At itsheart lies a set of key questions, such as:

� how human rights and genocide have beenconceptualised;

� where these ideas come from and how theyhave developed and changed over time;

� where human rights are recognised and wherethey are violated;

� how they are guaranteed and protected; � how they are challenged and undermined; � how and why genocide occurs and how it might

be prevented and halted.

At the same time, the programme aims to providestudents with practical professional skills neededto work in this field, to influence policy makers,and to build international communities andnetworks which can support human rights andhelp to prevent or halt genocide.

Participating institutions

Kingston University London Viadrina European University Frankfurt (Oder) University of Siena SienaCollegium Civitas Warsaw Uppsala University Uppsala

MA in Human Rights and Genocide Studies

Course ContentModules, Curricular structure and creditrequirements

� The course runs for 3 semesters, spread over18 months

� In semesters 1 and 2, you take a total of 8 taughtmodules, selected from the first 5 streams below

� Each taught module is worth 7.5 ECTS credits(15 UK credits).

� In semester 3, you undertake an Internship andwrite a Dissertation (Each of these are worth15 ECTS credits [30 UK credits])

� A total of 90 ECTS credits (180 UK credits) isrequired for the award of the degree.

� Students must attend at least two of thepartner institutions.

Module streams1 Human Rights – Legal and Institutional

Frameworks2 Case Studies in Genocide and Mass Violence3 Research Methods4 Responses to Mass Atrocities – Legal Measures,

Peacekeeping and Reconciliation5 Humanitarian Intervention – Legal and

Institutional Protection6 Internship7 Dissertation

Special Features� This Masters programme (taught in English)

offers you the possibility of studying in 2 or 3different European countries and a uniqueopportunity to experience learning, working andresearching in the area of human rights andgenocide prevention in different academicsettings and working contexts.

� This Masters programme is offered by some ofthe best qualified and established Europeanuniversities in the area of human rights andgenocide prevention

� The development of this Masters programme hasbeen supported by the European Union throughits Socrates programme.

� The course is taught by both highly acclaimedacademics and experienced practitioners whocombine their teaching with work in the field ofhuman rights and genocide prevention.

� As well as the taught modules, there is a workexperience module (internship) and anopportunity to conduct your own in-depthresearch.

Programme And Selection Of ModulesSemester One:� 30 ECTS credits (60 UK credits)

to be completed at eitherKingston or Viadrina.

� Students must complete atleast one module in each ofthe Streams 1, 2 and 3, and atleast one further module to atotal of 30 ECTS credits (60 UKcredits) for this semester.

Semester Two:� 30ECTS credits (60 UK credits) to be completed at one of the

partner institutions indicated below and chosen from any stream

Stream 1: Human Rights – Legal andInstitutional Frameworks(compulsory minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits)

Kingston

Frameworks andfoundations ofhuman rights

Achieving humanrights:

theories/strategiesfor change

Viadrina

Legal andinstitutionalfoundations

Civil and politicalrights

Economic, socialand cultural rights

Prohibition ofdiscrimination

Stream 2: Case Studies in Genocideand Mass Violence (compulsory minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits)

Kingston

Politics of massmurder

Viadrina

The JewishHolocaust andother Nazi-led

killing programmes– a comparative

study

Stream 3: Research Methods(compulsory minimum of 7.5 ECTS credits)

Kingston

Research skillsand methods insocial sciences

Viadrina

Methods ofresearch andproject work

Stream 4: Responses to MassAtrocities – Legal Measures,Peacekeeping and Reconciliation

Kingston

Managing andresolving

internationalconflict

Viadrina

International lawand practice onstate-condoned

mass murdersince 1914

Representation ofinterests

Conflict preventionand management

Stream 1: Human Rights – Legal and Institutional Frameworks (continued)

Kingston

Meaning andprotection ofhuman rights

Achieving humanrights: case

studies of change

Viadrina

Rights ofminorities and

peoples

Siena

The universalityof human rights

Collegium

Human rightsorganisations

Legal problems ofhuman rights

Stream 2: Case Studies in Genocide and Mass Violence (continued)

Kingston

Managing conflict:the Rwanda

conflict

Case study ininternational

conflict: the warover Bosnia

Viadrina

Modern nationalism– The engine ofmass murder?

Siena

Crimes of warand genocide

Collegium

Holocaust andgenocide

Stream 4: Responses to Mass Atrocities – Legal Measures, Peacekeeping andReconciliation (continued)

Kingston

The prevention ofgenocide

Viadrina

Individual criminalresponsibility and

state responsibility

Criminal law andenforcement

Siena

Peacekeeping andconflict resolution

Collegium

Truth andreconciliation

Holocaust memoryand impact

Stream 5: Humanitarian Intervention – Legal and Institutional Protection

Kingston

Human rights andarmed conflict

Viadrina

Negotiating Peace –Dealing with the

Challenges ofPeace Processes

Rights of refugeesand migrants

Siena

Humanitarianintervention and

its context

Collegium

Internationalnegotiations andthe responsibility

to protect

Techniques ofnegotiations

Semester Three:� 30 ECTS credits (60 UK credits) at any partner institution

(Kingston, Viadrina, Siena, Collegium Civitas, Uppsala).� Both streams are compulsory.

Stream 6: Internship (15 ECTS credits, compulsory)

An internship to be conducted at and supervised by aninstitution approved by the Board of Study

This module enables you to undertake a work placement in a human rightsorganisation. This may be either in a governmental or non-governmentalorganisation. You can choose an area connected to your overall careerambitions and/or use the placement as a chance to expand your horizons.

Stream 7: Dissertation (15 ECTS credits, compulsory)

A dissertation to be prepared on an approved topic supervisedat any one of the partner institutions

In your dissertation, you will apply the skills learnt in the research methodsmodule in a piece of original research, studying a subject of your own choice(either applied or theoretical) in considerable depth.

For more information on the modules, teaching staff and participating institutions see www.humanrightsandgenocidestudies.eu

“The module list shows the intended and probable teachingprogramme of each partner institution. Changes may, however,be necessary for staffing and organisational reasons so that noguarantee of availability can be given.” While it is fully expectedthat the programme will be available as indicated at all partnerinstitutions, delivery in Semester 2 in Siena and Warsawrespectively is dependent on achieving a minimum enrolment.

Entry Requirements� Successful completion of a degree with the

relevant number of ECTS credits ((180 or 240)(or the equivalent in the case of applicantsoutside of the EU)) in a programme of study inan area appropriate to the content of theMaster’s (normally a good second classhonours degree or its equivalent).

� In some cases, by agreement of all thepartners, relevant non-certificated learning oran appropriate combination of certificated andnon-certificated learning and relevant workexperience may be admitted.

� A high degree of motivation to participate inthe programme, evidenced in the applicationstatement and, where appropriate, in a formalinterview.

� References from two different institutions orenterprises.

� Where a candidate’s first language is notEnglish, advanced English languagecompetence in the form of appropriatecertificated learning [IELTS requirement of 6.5]or equivalent must be demonstrated.

Attendance/Delivery/DurationThis is a modular 18-month programme based oncredit accumulation. Students enrolled in theprogramme must study in at least two of theparticipating institutions and receive at least 30%of their credits from each institution at which theystudy. To be eligible for the Master’s degree,students must have achieved at least 90 ECTScredits (180 UK credits) in the required modules.

AssessmentThere is a variety of assessment methods for thecourse including:� Essays;� Examinations (including on-line tests);� Briefings; � Oral, written and moot court presentations;� Project reports;� Internships evaluations;� Research proposals;� Dissertation.

For Further Information Please ContactKingston’s Admissions Office for an application form or with any further queries.

Admissions Office (Postgraduate Courses)Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Kingston UniversityPenrhyn Road

Kingston upon ThamesSurrey

KT1 2EEEngland

Tel: +44 (0)20 8417 2361Fax: +44 (0)20 8417 2292

Email: fasspostgrad-info@Kingston.ac.uk

Or visit the course webpage: www.humanrightsandgenocidestudies.eu

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission

Creation of this coursewas supported by the

European Commission