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Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights

LLM (International Human Rights Law and Public Policy)

The LLM in International Human Rights Law and Public Policy is an innovative and exciting new LLM programme, which builds on the Law Faculty’s reputation for excellence in International and European human rights law. The programme will be of interest to students and practitioners from a range of different fields including: law; social policy; political science; public administration; development; history; international relation; social sciences.

  • Students benefit from a series of guest seminars and workshops with key actors in the human rights movement
  • Includes a unique International Human Rights clinic core module
  • Engages students in the practice and policy context of Human Rights Law
  • Focus on essential human rights lawyering skills, including: oral and written advocacy (legal and policy); strategic litigation; fact-finding and development

Teaching Team

The teaching team includes staff with distinguished records in research, teaching and public policy engagement: Professor Caroline Fennell; Dr Ursula Kilkelly; Dr Darren O’Donovan; Dr Siobhán Wills; Dr Conor O’Mahony; Dr Louise Crowley; Dr Aisling Parkes; Dr Siobhán Mullally.Details of staff profiles are available at: http://www.ucc.ie/en/lawsite/staff/

The Law Faculty is delighted to include in its team of Adjunct Professors leading world experts on human rights law and practice: Professor Samantha Power, Special Adviser to President Obama on Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights and; Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC, Blackstone Chambers.

 

Programme Outline

Core Modules (50 credits)

  • LW6571  LLM (International Human Rights and Public Policy) Thesis (30 credits) Students select a research topic in the area of human rights law, and following approval, complete a 12,500 word thesis under supervision of a Faculty member. Students complete research methodology training and give an oral presentation on their research in progress.

  • LW6570  Human Rights in Practice (Clinic) (10 credits) This unique module will give students an opportunity to engage with the institutions and processes of human rights law in practice. The clinic engages students in the practice and policy context of human rights law, providing case studies and instruction on essential human rights lawyering skills, including: oral and written advocacy (legal and policy); strategic litigation; fact-finding and development.  A series of guest contributors from civil society, statutory bodies, human rights organisations and the legal profession will explore with students the mechanisms and processes through which human rights laws are implemented and enforced, and the challenges arising.

  • LW6572  Contemporary Issues in International Law (10 credits)  This module gives students a foundation in the core principles and concepts of international law, focussing on contemporary issues and current debates on international law and public policy

Elective Modules (40 credits)

Students choose at least 30 credits from:

And choose a further 10 credits from the modules listed below*:

* In certain cases with the permission of the Programme Director, students may elect to take 1 module (10 credits) from the list of modules available for the LLM (Mode A) Degree other than one of the elective modules listed above.

The range of courses offered are subject to change.

Candidates are obliged to reflect a balance between terms 1 and 2 in their choice of modules.

Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights

The Law Faculty hosts the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, established in 2006. The Centre contributes to national and international debates on human rights law and practice through the promotion of cutting edge interdisciplinary research, innovative programmes of legal education and training, and strategic partnerships with Government, statutory bodies, and civil society organisations.The Centre hosts a dynamic programme of seminars, conferences and workshops and an Annual Distinguished Lecture series. 

Recent visitors have included Mr Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner on Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay, High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Micheál Martin, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Prof Conor Gearty, LSE, Bryan Stephenson, (Equal Justice Initiative USA).  Further infomation available at http://www.ucc.ie/en/ccjhr/

Please click on the link for Careers in Human Rights Law: Testimonials from UCC Law Students/Graduates .

Summer Placements and Internships

The Law Faculty has a vibrant programme of summer placements and internships. Students are supported in applying for internships, internationally and nationally. Currently, the Law Faculty summer placements include:

National Placements

Mental Health Reform; Matheson Ormsby Prentice, Solicitors, Dublin; Attorney General's Office, Dublin; Director of Public Prosecutions, Dublin; Office of the Data Protection Commissioner; The Screen Directors Guild of Ireland; Marriage Equality; The Irish Patents Office; R.A.A.P (Recorded Artists Actors Performers Ltd); Irish Refugee Council; Irish Playwrights' and Screenwriters' Guild; Refugee Legal Service

Europe

PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants)

USA

Los Angeles Federal District Court Externship; Los Angeles Juvenile Dependency Court; Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Washington, DC; Public Defender's Office, San Francisco

For Application Information on the LLM Programme click here or contact Veronica Calnan v.calnan@ucc.ie or Dr. Siobhan Mullally (Programme Director) s.mullally@ucc.ie

See also:

2011-06-30

Contact Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights:  T:+353 (0)21 490 2728 | E: ccjhr@ucc.ie | F:+353 (0)21 427 0690 |
Addr: CCJHR, Faculty of Law, University College Cork, Ireland |
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