Welcome to the International Relations and Human Rights programme

International Relations and Human Rights explores the interaction of governments, non-governmental organisations and international institutions in their efforts to protect human rights.

International Relations and Human Rights is available for postgraduate study and is co-ordinated within the Department of Political Studies.

Postgraduate careers  

International Relations and Human Rights will sharpen your skills in research, political analysis and presentation. Graduates have progressed to careers in law firms, government service, the media, teaching and NGOs. Recent graduates have also been recruited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and  Amnesty International.     

Postgraduate study opportunities in International Relations and Human Rights

This subject is available for the Master of Professional Studies in International Relations and Human Rights.

 You will study how the United Nations and international courts promote human rights, and how governments and other actors can help or obstruct this. Topics include:

• the historical evolution of human rights concepts, movements, and policies
• the formation of the United Nations and the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• the powers and limitations of the UN Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Council, Human Rights Committee, and the High Commissioner on Human Rights
• the Just War Doctrine and case studies of humanitarian intervention 
• the work of the special courts trying violations of international humanitarian law
• the establishment of the International Criminal Court
• the recent adaptation of the International Court of Justice to address human rights issues.
   

The programme has attracted students from Australia, Tonga, Kenya, South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Norway, Kosovo, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, China, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

Students with weak backgrounds in international relations study are counselled to take appropriate Political Studies courses prior to or concurrent with the Master of Professional Studies. 

For more information about the Master of Professional Studies (MProfStuds) in International Relations and Human Rights,  contact the Coordinator Stephen Hoadley.

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