75
Åbo Akademi University 2014/2015
ÅBO CAMPUS
United Nations and Human Rights
359510.0
5 credits
Intermediate/Advanced level, please see prerequisites.
Web-based course
Offered: Autumn 2014
Lecturers: Catarina Krause, ProgrammeDirector, MikaelaHeik-
kilä, Post-Doc Researcher
Contact: Catarina Krause,
Aim: The participants are expected after successful comple-
tion of the course to be able to evaluate the role andmandate
of various UNbodies in the international protection of human
rights, to understand the difference between charter-based
and treaty-based human rights mechanisms, and to review
the applicability of available monitoring mechanisms in a
concrete situation.
Contents: The course will address the role of human rights
within the UN system through focusing on the mandates
of selected UN bodies, that is, the Security Council, the In-
ternational Court of Justice, the Human Rights Council and
the Human Rights Committee. Emphasis will be put on the
various mechanisms attached to these bodies as well as on
their concrete applicability in a situationwhere human rights
are threatened.
Learning outcomes: After the course the participants are
expected to:
.
have a good understanding of the different roles that
the Security Council, the International Court of Justice,
the Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Com-
mittee of the United Nations have in the protection of
human rights,
.
be familiar with the procedure before the Security
Council, the ICJ, various mechanisms of Human Rights
Council, the individual complaints systemof the Human
Rights Committee,
.
be able to apply and critically reflect upon the procedures
and mechanisms of these bodies in a concrete case.
Mode of study: The course is built on problem-based learning
methods. The participants are expected to solve case studies
based on given readings and internet-based material such
as UN documents, international treaties, research reports
and articles.
Form of assessment: The final grade will be calculated based
on the grading of the various course modules on a scale
from 0-5.
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of human rights law, in-
ternational law or international relations is required of the
participants. Exchange students need to be pre-approved for
the course. For information on pre-approval, please contact
the international office.
Target group: Students of law, international law or interna-
tional relations. Optional specialization course for students
taking part in theMaster's Degree Programme in International
Human Rights Law.
Entry requirements: Participants are selected based on ap-
plication (max. 40 participants). On-line registration at http://
/
Course literature: Provided during the course.
Course on Refugee Law
346125.0
10 credits
Intermediate/Advanced level, please see prerequisites
Lectured course
Offered: Autumn 2014
Lecturer: NN
Contact: Catarina Krause,
Aim: The purpose of the course is to deepen the participants'
understanding on the current issues and problems of refugee
law.
Content: Topics discussed during the lectures include the im-
pact of human rights law on the treatment of asylum seekers
and refugees; the principle of non-refoulement; qualification
as a refugee or as a beneficiary of subsidiary protection; and
asylum procedures.
Learning outcomes: After the course the participants are
expected to:
.
have a thorough knowledge of the protectionof refugees
in international law
.
be familiar with central concepts of refugee law, such
as the refugee definition and the definition of a ben-
eficiary of subsidiary protection, persecution and the
persecution grounds, complementary protection, and
non-refoulment
.
understand gender dimensions of refugee law
.
be familiar with the landmark cases concerning the
refugee definition and protection against refoulement.
.
understand how the recent developments within the EU
have influenced the framework for the protection of refu-
gees in the EU member states and also more generally
Mode of study: The course consists of lectures, self-studying
of literature and legal materials, and an exam. The emphasis
of the course is on the independent studying of the reading
materials; the lectures seek to clarify their contents, to under-
line their most significant elements and to offer examples of
practical application (cases etc.).
Form of assessment: Written exam
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of international human rights
law is required of the participants. Exchange students need
to be pre-approved for the course. For information on pre-
approval, please contact the international office.
Target group: Students of law, international law or interna-
tional relations. Optional specialization course for students
taking part in theMaster's Degree Programme in International
Human Rights Law.
Entry requirements: Registration during first course session.
Should a student not be able to participate in the first ses-
sion, he or she should contact
before
the course starts.
Course literature: will be provided at the beginning of the
course.
Comparative Law - Public Law
345114.0
5 credits
Intermediate level
Lectured course
Offered: Autumn 2014
Lecturer(s): Markku Suksi, Dr., Professor of Public Law, Åbo
Akademi University
Contact: Markku Suksi,
Aim and content: The course aims at providing the students
with basic knowledge on methods used in comparative law
research. The focus will be in their application to public law,
especially constitutional and administrative law. European
community law will also be discussed from a comparative
point of view.
Learning outcomes: After the course, the student will un-
derstand the position of Finland in the Nordic legal family
and will understand the significant variation in the European
states between such legal issues as constitution-making, the
referendum, territorial autonomy, liability in non-contractual
damage situations of public authorities, and ethnically de-
termined property regimes in the Nordic countries. After the
