Seminar options 2020
A summary of course content for each of the seminar options in 2020 is available on the Seminar options page.
Course aims
The programme aims to provide an intensive immersion in international human rights law and practice. Students will learn about key international and regional human rights laws and the enforcement of human rights by courts, quasi-judicial bodies, the UN and other inter-governmental organisations and non-governmental actors. The introductory morning session aims to provide a basic grounding in the field of international human rights law for students with no prior knowledge. The advanced morning seminars aim to build on students' existing knowledge. The afternoon electives aim to provide students with an opportunity to specialise in a key sub area of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. More broadly, the programme is intended to prepare participants to contribute to the improvement of human rights conditions in their homelands and around the world.
Level and demands
This course is an intensive programme of postgraduate-level study and potential applicants should therefore be confident that they are academically and linguistically prepared for such a programme.
Participants are expected to:
- undertake preparatory reading before each class
- attend all seminar sessions and lectures
- be actively engaged with their seminar topics
If your first language is not English, you must supply evidence of your proficiency before a place can be offered. Further information about accepted English tests and minimum scores for this course are listed in the Application section.
Contact hours
The programme provides a minimum of 58 hours and 40 minutes, comprising:
- 16 plenary lectures of 1 hour
- 16 seminars of 72 minutes
- 16 seminars of 88 minutes.
Assessment
Assessment for all classes in this programme is by way of written examination and class participation but examinations are only compulsory for those seeking credit from the programme. Further information about credit can be found in the Certificates and credit section.
Please note: all written examinations take place on the final Friday of the programme and cannot be re-arranged.
Certificates and credit
All students who satisfactorily complete the programme will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance. To qualify for this, students are required to attend lectures and seminars to the satisfaction of the course tutors. It is not necessary to take the examinations in order to receive a Certificate of Attendance but those seeking credit from the programme will need to sit the examinations. The certificate will list your name, the dates of the programme and the two courses you have taken.
The programme is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) for 5 semester credits but these can only be awarded to North American law students who have applied for the programme through George Washington University (see Application procedure). North American students must take the examinations to receive ABA accreditation.
UK Solicitors may wish to take the course under the SRA's new 'continuing competence' approach (following major changes to the CPD requirements by the SRA, the course is no longer recognised as accredited CPD training).
As Oxford University itself does not offer credit for this summer school, those students outside North America (who will not qualify for ABA accreditation) wishing to obtain credit from their home institution for attending the programme must make appropriate arrangements with that institution in advance. Participants can request information to provide to their home institution that sets outs the contact teaching hours (for lectures and seminars) and confirms the grades achieved in the examinations. Please note that confirmation of your exam results comes in the form of a results letter emailed directly to you when results are available in mid-September. A hard copy can also be sent directly to you and/or your University if this is required. Unfortunately we cannot provide formal transcripts for this course so you must check in advance that your home institution will accept a results letter. The level of credit, if any, must be determined by the home institution.
This course is not eligible for CATS and ECTS points as it is not accredited.
Course structure
The 2020 programme begins on Sunday 12 July. Programme orientation and library registration are held on Monday 13 July. Classes are held mornings and afternoons Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 July, Monday 20 to Thursday 23 July, Monday 27 to Friday 31 July and Monday 3 to Wednesday 5 August. Friday 24 July is a reading day. Examinations will be held on Friday 7 August and the programme concludes at 09:00 on Saturday 8 August.