Course Structure and Syllabus
The Human Rights Law program at India International University Of Legal Education And Research Goa is structured over three academic years, comprising six semesters. Each semester carries a specific set of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and lab components designed to build both foundational knowledge and specialized expertise.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LAW101 | Introduction to Human Rights Law | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | LAW102 | Constitutional Law | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | LAW103 | Legal Methodology | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | LAW104 | Civil Procedure | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | LAW105 | Criminal Justice | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | LAW106 | Research Skills | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 2 | LAW201 | International Human Rights Law | 3-0-0-3 | LAW101 |
| 2 | LAW202 | Comparative Constitutional Law | 3-0-0-3 | LAW102 |
| 2 | LAW203 | Human Rights in Conflict Zones | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 2 | LAW204 | Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility | 3-0-0-3 | LAW101 |
| 2 | LAW205 | Human Rights in a Global Context | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 2 | LAW206 | Human Rights Advocacy | 2-0-0-2 | LAW101 |
| 3 | LAW301 | Environmental Justice and Climate Law | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 3 | LAW302 | Gender-Based Violence and Women's Rights | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 3 | LAW303 | Corporate Accountability and Human Rights | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 3 | LAW304 | Digital Rights and Cybersecurity Law | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 3 | LAW305 | Indigenous Rights and Decolonization | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 3 | LAW306 | Human Rights Advocacy Project | 2-0-0-2 | LAW201 |
| 4 | LAW401 | Migrations and Refugee Law | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 4 | LAW402 | Human Rights and Public Policy | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
| 4 | LAW403 | Legal Research and Writing | 3-0-0-3 | LAW106 |
| 4 | LAW404 | Human Rights Law Thesis | 4-0-0-4 | LAW306 |
| 4 | LAW405 | Internship in Human Rights Law | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 4 | LAW406 | Cultural Competency and Human Rights | 3-0-0-3 | LAW201 |
Advanced Departmental Electives
The department offers a wide array of advanced elective courses designed to deepen students' understanding of specific aspects of human rights law. These courses are taught by experienced faculty members who bring both academic expertise and practical insights into the field.
Environmental Justice and Climate Law: This course examines the intersection of environmental degradation and human rights violations. Students explore topics such as climate change litigation, biodiversity loss, pollution control, and sustainable development from a legal perspective. The course includes case studies on environmental justice movements and policy frameworks that protect vulnerable populations from environmental harm.
Gender-Based Violence and Women's Rights: This elective delves into the legal mechanisms that protect women from discrimination, harassment, and violence. It covers reproductive rights, domestic violence legislation, and the role of courts in enforcing gender equality. The course integrates theoretical concepts with real-world examples from both local and international contexts.
Corporate Accountability and Human Rights: This course focuses on the legal obligations of corporations in relation to human rights. Students study supply chain responsibility, labor rights, corporate transparency, and the role of non-governmental organizations in holding companies accountable for their actions. The course includes guest lectures from corporate compliance officers and NGO representatives.
Digital Rights and Cybersecurity Law: This elective addresses the legal challenges associated with digital privacy, surveillance, online harassment, and cybersecurity threats. Students learn about data protection laws, digital rights frameworks, and how courts interpret cyberspace-related issues. The course emphasizes the importance of balancing individual freedoms with national security concerns.
Indigenous Rights and Decolonization: This course explores the legal struggles faced by indigenous communities globally, including land rights, cultural preservation, and self-determination. Students examine traditional legal systems, treaty law, and the role of international bodies in supporting indigenous voices. The course includes fieldwork opportunities in tribal regions.
Migrations and Refugee Law: This elective focuses on the legal status of displaced populations and the obligations of states toward refugees and asylum seekers. It covers international refugee law, border control policies, and humanitarian aid mechanisms. Students analyze case studies involving refugee crises and learn how to advocate for marginalized groups.
Human Rights Advocacy and Legal Reform: This course prepares students for practical advocacy work by teaching lobbying strategies, media engagement, campaign planning, and public speaking techniques. Students also learn how to influence policy change through legal and non-legal means, including grassroots organizing and coalition building.
Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility: This course emphasizes ethical standards in legal practice, professional conduct, and the responsibilities of lawyers to clients and society. It covers topics such as confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and the lawyer's duty to uphold justice and human rights.
Human Rights in Conflict Zones: This course explores how international humanitarian law is applied during emergencies and conflicts. Students study war crimes, genocide, and state-sponsored violence, learning about judicial processes and reparations mechanisms used by international courts.
UN Human Rights Mechanisms: This elective provides an overview of the United Nations system and its role in promoting and protecting human rights. Students learn about treaty bodies, special rapporteurs, and the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department believes that learning through projects enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and practical application skills. Project-based learning is integrated into the curriculum through mandatory mini-projects in the second year and a final-year thesis or capstone project in the fourth year.
Mini-projects are designed to allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world issues under faculty supervision. These projects often involve collaboration with NGOs, government agencies, or international organizations, providing students with hands-on experience in legal research, advocacy, and policy analysis.
The final-year thesis is a comprehensive piece of work that allows students to conduct original research on a topic of their choice within the field of human rights law. Students select their topics in consultation with faculty mentors who guide them through the research process, from proposal development to final submission.
Students can choose from various types of projects, including empirical studies, policy briefs, legal commentaries, and advocacy campaigns. The department encourages interdisciplinary approaches that combine insights from sociology, political science, economics, and other fields relevant to human rights issues.