Human Rights MA

Kingston University

Reasons to choose Kingston – This course is taught in collaboration with Kingston University’s Centre for Human Rights Practice. Staff include human rights practitioners, specialists and researchers. – Guest lecturers, from human rights and international organisations, have included politician and activist Shami Chakrabarti and directors of non-governmental organisations. – You will gain valuable experience through a placement in a human rights or social justice organisation, such as Liberty, Peace Brigades International, Amnesty International or Refugee Action.

About this course This course explores how human rights link to politics, culture, institutions, organisations, nation states, pressure groups, movements and values.

You will analyse situations that have led to violation of human rights. Examples include the use of drones in the “war on terror”, United Nations negotiations to create a treaty on the human rights obligations of transnational corporations, the challenge of rising populism, questions of poverty and human rights in the USA and the UK, the rights of LGBTQI people, and the protection of refugees who flee conflicts and disasters. Optional modules and a dissertation will enable you to study your own interests in depth.

Example modules – Strategies for Achieving Human Rights – Human Rights: Architectures, Actors, Activism – Working within the Human Rights Movement

Career opportunities This course can help you start or advance a career in human rights advocacy, policy or communication. Graduates are employed by Amnesty International, Unicef and Save the Children.