It brings forward dreams of freedom as well as fears of foreign domination and it refers to actually existing international law and associated legal and political mechanisms as well as processes of far-reaching social and cultural change.

This programme focuses on human rights in both theory and practice from legal, historical, philosophical, political and social science-based perspectives. Students are provided with specialised knowledge about human rights law, including the relationship between that law and other types of human rights initiatives and activities.

Human rights are approached as an element of public international law, at global and regional levels, and the different forms of implementation — international, regional, and national — are examined. They are also contextualised within a social science perspective and knowledge about and understanding of the normative and institutional framework, contemporary issues relating to terrorism, religion, ethnicity, women and development are studied in different courses.

There will be opportunities to do practical work (mock trials, internships) and discussions about human rights as social and cultural practices are included in the courses. The final part of the programme consists in writing a thesis through which the students acquire methodological and practical skills well-suited to match a growing demand for professionals with a background in human rights.

Learning outcomes:

The programme provides the student with the capacity to identify issues and problems relating to the realisation of human rights, and strengthens the ability to contribute to the resolution of human rights issues and problems. It also develops investigative and analytical skills.

Human Rights: Few other concepts — legal, political or moral — can compete with ‘human rights’ as an emblem of modernity, good governance, and globalisation. Its universal nature with reference to the dignity of every human being brings forward dreams of freedom as well as worries about foreign influence. It refers to actually existing international law and associated legal and political mechanisms as well as processes of far-reaching social and cultural change. This programme offers courses in human rights in both theory and practice from legal, historical, philosophical, political and social science-based perspectives.

Knowledge:

The programme is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary. After having completed the required number of courses and written a master thesis, students will have acquired advanced knowledge about:

• human rights as a branch of public international law, and relevant juridical mechanisms at global as well as regional levels,
• human rights as an object of study in history, philosophy and the social sciences, as well as a practical reality in national and international politics,
• different forms of promoting and implementing human rights, domestically as well as on the international level
• the role of human rights in contemporary issues relating to terrorism, religion, ethnicity, gender and development
• scholarly values such as transparency, impartiality, clarity, reliance and the importance of sound reasoning and empirical inference

What career opportunities do I have?

This Master's programme gives you a solid basis for professional and practical human rights work, for instance in government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as research work at institutions for higher learning.

Former students of the programme include human rights field workers, employees of non-governmental organizations, judges, researchers and teachers as well as experts serving in the ministries of central governments and agencies for development cooperation.

Former students, both Norwegian and International, work today for institutions and companies in Norway like the Refugee Council of Norway, the Rainforest Foundation, Plan Norway, the Directorate for Immigration, the Council on Ethics. Outside Norway former students work among others for the organisation Médecins sans Frontières and for different UN Organizations.