Students have the opportunity to examine human rights in historical context. They can examine how ideas of human rights have developed historically and choose optional modules that relate to the field of human rights. The course allows them to experience both disciplines, and to graduate with a strong competence in history and the study of human rights.
Within the history modules students discover both the early modern and modern periods, and explore challenging questions concerning the impact of political, social and cultural change on individuals, social groups, and regions.
Students engage in a discourse on human rights, from political, sociological, philosophical, economic and historical perspectives. They are presented with the theoretical foundations, substantive knowledge, and evaluative tools for them to understand, respond to, and help shape national, regional, and international legal and political developments.
At Essex they are actively engaged in debates about the meaning of justice in the UK and beyond. Their Human Rights Centre is a recognized international leader. Through their work with the United Nations, governments, human rights organizations and corporations all over the world, they bring a global outlook to their teaching.
Students have the opportunity to indulge their interests in history and human rights by selecting modules from a wide range of specializations, including:
- Colonialism and the British Empire
- Urban life in Germany
- Global distributive justice and human rights
- The protection of human rights in the UK
- Freedom of thought and expression
At Essex they specialize in business law, public law, criminal justice, health law, law and technology, socio-legal studies and human rights law.
Their School of Law is ranked top 20 in the UK for research excellence (REF 2014, mainstream universities, THE 2014), and they are ranked among the top 200 departments in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2020).
