Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.

Apart from their assigned mod courses, 1L students may only enroll in courses offered as 1L electives. A complete list of these courses can be found on the 1L Elective Listings page. 1L students must use the 1L class number listed on the course description when enrolling.

263 sec. 1 - International Human Rights (Spring 2027)

Instructor: Laurel E Fletcher  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only

Units: 2
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

Tu 3:35 PM - 5:25 PM
Location: Law 12
From January 12, 2027
To April 20, 2027

Course Start: January 12, 2027
Course End: April 20, 2027
Class Number: 33210

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 0
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 41
As of: 11/03 10:05 PM


This course offers an introduction to the theory and practice of human rights. We will critically examine the international and domestic laws, actors, and institutions that play a role in the protection of human rights. We will examine the major sources of international human rights law--including treaties, customary international law, international soft law, and domestic law. Key mechanisms of human rights protection also will be discussed including, multilateral organizations (e.g. the United Nations Security Council and Human Rights Council); international, regional, and national courts and tribunals; and quasi-judicial treaty bodies (e.g. the U.N. Committee Against Torture). The role of a range of non-State actors will also be discussed, including international nongovernmental organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch; multi-national corporations; and armed opposition groups like ISIL.

We will discuss the conceptual foundations of human rights and key theoretical debates about the field with a focus on recurring questions regarding legitimacy, justiciability, compliance, and efficacy. We will consider the impact and application of digital technologies on the enjoyment and enforcement of human rights. Finally, we will consider critical perspectives on the human rights regime from feminists, Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL), and international LGBTI advocates.

Exam Notes: (F) In-person Final Exam
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Exam Length: 2.5 hours
Course Category: International and Comparative Law
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
Social Justice and Public Interest

Files:

If you are the instructor or their FSU, you may add a file like a syllabus or a first assignment.

Class materials may also be available on bCourses.berkeley.edu

Readers:
No reader.

Books:
Instructor has not yet confirmed their textbook order, please check back later.

Go to Course Search