Transitional Justice Institute – University of Ulster

LLM Programme in Gender, Conflict and Human Rights

Newtonabbey & Londonderry, 2012 – 2013.

The Transitional Justice Institute announces the launch of the new and innovative LLM programme in Gender, Conflict and Human Rights. 

This programme has been developed to enable students to

● Gain a systematic understanding, in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of the differential experiences of women and men of human rights norms and institutions, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations; Understand foundational concepts in gender theory and their application to human rights, international law and transitional justice;

● Gain knowledge and skills in carrying out research projects from design to write-up;

● Enhance skills in critically appraising published and commissioned research;

● Develop skills highly relevant to legal practice, and to gender policy, research and advocacy roles in the voluntary, public and private sectors in the UK, Ireland and beyond;

● Successful completion may also open up a range of further study and research options.

Unique Selling Points

The Transitional Justice Institute in Northern Ireland is uniquely placed to deliver an effective and stimulating programme of study in this area. Key highlights include:

● Opportunity to undertake an LLM programme with a specific focus on gender and transitional justice, the only LLM programme of its type in the UK or Ireland;

● Teaching is delivered by active researchers in the TJI, many of whom have received international recognition for their work;

● Gain unique insights into the differential legal protection of human rights of women and men in transitional contexts, while studying in a society currently in a process of transition;

● Take advantage of the opportunities to specialise in identified areas e.g. human rights, transitional justice, peace and conflict research in divided societies;

● Enhance the skills you need for working with gender and human rights in a range of sectors;

● Internship opportunities with a range of organizations including the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Disability Action (Centre on Human Rights), Human Rights Consortium, Law Centre (NI) and Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM), all based in Belfast;

● LLM Best Dissertation Prize;

● Extensive events programme (TJI Seminar Series, International Conferences) and distinguished Visiting Scholars programme;

● Excellent library facilities on campus. Students also have sole access to a dedicated LLM computer suite;

● Fully equipped LLM teaching rooms with integrated audio visual and video conferencing facilities;

● Membership of the LLM Alumni Network on completion of the course.

Programme and Module Content

LLM students must complete the following 4 compulsory modules:

● Gender and Human Rights

● Gender and Transition

● Dissertation Research Methods

● Dissertation

Plus 1 of the optional modules from the following list:

● Foundations of International Human Rights Law

● Foundations of Transitional Justice

Plus 1 of the following optional half-modules from the following list:

● Policing and Human Rights

● Memory, Transition and Conflict

● Political Violence, ‘Wars on Terror’ and the Law

● International Criminal Justice

● Critical Perspectives on Human Rights

● Equality Law

Mode of Attendance

● Full time - 3 semesters (1 year)

● Part-time - 6 semesters (2+ years)

● Registration: The programme will begin in September of each academic year.

Full-time and Part-time Students

● Full-time students must study one compulsory module (30 points) and one optional module (30 points) in Semester 1. They must complete one compulsory module (30 points), the compulsory half-module (Dissertation Research Methods) (15 points) and one optional half-module in Semester 2 (15 points).

● Part-time students must study two compulsory modules in Year One, one per semester. In Year Two, part-time students study one optional module in Semester 1 (30 points) and two half modules (15 points each) in Semester 2 (one compulsory and one optional).

The Dissertation module is undertaken following successful completion of the other modules.

Teaching Arrangements

The programme is taught through a combination of weekly classes (3 hours each), and day-long block classes (9.15 am to 4.15 pm). In Semester 1, Gender and Human Rights will be taught in six day-long sessions. The Foundations of International Human Rights Law module is taught in twelve 3-hour classes (one per week), and the Foundations of Transitional Justice module is taught in six day-long block classes (approximately one per fortnight). In Semester 2, Gender and Transition will be taught in six day-long sessions. The optional half-modules are taught either in three day-long classes (fortnightly), or six 3-hour classes (weekly). At present, all classes are taught on Thursdays and Fridays, and all 3-hour weekly classes are scheduled for late afternoon to facilitate attendance by part-time students. Students on the LLM programme are also strongly encouraged to attend and participate in other events run by the TJI, including the seminars in the TJI Seminar Series. Note that enrolment on the LLM programme on a full-time basis requires a time commitment equivalent to an average full-time working week. Consequently, those in full-time employment are strongly advised to take the part-time route.

Internships for LLM students

LLM students may apply for a number of prestigious internships. Internship opportunities are available with a number of organizations including the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Disability Action (Centre on Human Rights), Human Rights Consortium, Law Centre (NI) and Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM), all based in Belfast. Students apply for these on a competitive basis.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have at least a second class honours degree in law, or be able to demonstrate an equivalent standard through a primary third level degree in another discipline in combination with either a relevant post-graduate degree or diploma, or relevant and demonstrable experience in human rights law or legal advocacy. If you do not have a law degree, you should include in your application a statement fully explaining how your experience or postgraduate degree or diploma.