Master of arts 1 Human rights

Programme Overview

This first year of the Master of Arts in Human Rights offers a methodical introduction to international human rights law, approached through its philosophical foundations, its historical sources and its protection mechanisms. Students explore the founding questions of the philosophy of law — the nature of law, its legitimacy and its relationship to justice —, the notion of human dignity from which all rights proceed, and the birth of modern international law within the School of Salamanca, from the right of communication set out by Vitoria through to his readers Grotius and Locke. They then study the sources and subjects of public international law, the contemporary regime for the protection of the person, individual rights and group rights, and the three scales of protection — universal, regional through the African system, and constitutional —, up to the specialised regimes protecting the child, the asylum seeker and the refugee.

The programme combines courses, research seminars, the study of the major instruments and of case law, and semester examinations, in order to develop the ability to characterise a situation in legal terms, to compare several systems of protection and determine which offers the most effective avenue, and to construct and defend a reasoned research question. This first year thus provides the foundation required to address, in the second year, the law of armed conflict, international criminal justice and humanitarian action, and then to embark on the specialisation pathway and the research work of the dissertation.

Year Outcomes

The 1st year of the Master of Arts in Human Rights enables the student to:

• Acquire an overall understanding of the various dimensions of human rights, taking into account legal, political, historical and ethical perspectives.
• Compare the universal, regional and constitutional regimes for the protection of fundamental rights.
• Draw upon the sources and instruments of international law to characterise in legal terms a situation of protection or of violation.
• Develop expertise in specific fields, such as the protection of minorities, the rights of refugees and international justice.
• Apply the protection regimes specific to persons in situations of vulnerability — children, asylum seekers and refugees.
• Become acquainted with the research methods specific to human rights.
• Combine theory and practice through internships and seminars led by professionals active in the field of human rights.
• Analyse and resolve real-world issues encountered in the field. 

Targeted Competencies

Philosophical and Legal Foundations of Human Rights

• Analyse the philosophical and anthropological foundations of dignity and human rights.
• Draw upon the sources and instruments of international law to characterise a situation in legal terms.

Systems for the Protection of Individuals and Groups

• Compare the universal, regional and constitutional regimes for the protection of fundamental rights.
• Apply the protection regimes specific to persons in situations of vulnerability.

Research and Specialisation in Contemporary Issues

• Design and carry out an independent piece of research and write a scholarly dissertation.

First-Year Master of Arts in Human Rights Program

Semester 1

• [2603] General Methodology
• [2507] Introduction to Philosophy of Law
• [2611] International Public Law
• [2612] International Human Rights Law
• [2613] The Origins of International Law: the School of Salamanca
• [2614] Human Dignity

Semester 2

• [2616] Human Rights
• [2615] Human Rights in Africa
• [2617] Regional and International Children's Rights Law
• [2619] Constitutional Protection of Fundamental Rights
• [2618] International Refugee Law and the Legal Regimes of Asylum
• Research Seminar 1

Learning Format

The program is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and videos, depending on the course;
• interactive activities (quizzes, exercises);
• discussion forums with instructors and fellow students.

Personalized support is provided throughout the program through a dedicated academic advisor. An expert in their field, the advisor supports the student at every stage of the program, particularly in completing semester assignments, offering tailored methodological and academic guidance.
This support is based on regular interaction, organized through various formats, to ensure individualized, needs-based follow-up for each student.

Assessment Methods 

Successful completion of the first year of the Master of Arts in Human Rights depends on meeting the various assessment requirements. It is based on:

• passing the assessment quizzes for each course, which verify the acquisition of fundamental knowledge;
• passing the semester assessments, including written assignments (deliverables) and oral presentations.
• completion of the year requires an overall minimum average of 10/20.

Who This Program Is For 

This program is designed for:

• holders of a Bachelor degree in law, social sciences or humanities, or any other equivalent qualification.
• professionals working in ecclesial, educational, cultural, or social settings who wish to strengthen their skills in analysis, teaching, and mediation.

PREREQUISITES

Admission to the program is open to candidates with a Bachelor's degree level of education (Bac+3) or equivalent. It also requires a good command of written English, necessary for understanding the coursework and completing the required assignments.

Compliance with these prerequisites is verified by the admissions office when reviewing the application. 

ECTS Accreditation

The program is structured using ECTS credits.
In accordance with European standards arising from the Bologna Process, one ECTS credit corresponds to an estimated total workload of 25 to 30 hours, including all required learning activities (instruction, independent work, and assessments).
The total workload for the program is determined on this basis.

Accessibility

The program is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device. For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to all resources.

Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle – cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Admission Procedure

1. Complete the admission form.
2. Our admissions office will review your application.
3. If your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email with the information needed to complete your enrollment.