Course Description

Objectives
This Summer Course will deal in detail specifically and exclusively with the European System for the protection of human rights. Although there are numerous summer courses and other special study programs within Europe on human rights protection, this course concentrates on an integrated treatment of the various European systems and of specifically European issues of human rights protection, that is, with important matters relevant to over forty European countries with diverse political, economic and social systems. The subject matter, therefore, includes human rights protection under the regimes of the Council of Europe (the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter), the European Community, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Helsinki Accords), as well as that on the universal level of public international law to the extent it is relevant. The treatment of the substantive regimes and their specific rights catalogues will be set against the background of a consideration of the philosophical, historical, political, economic and sociological aspects of human rights, and include practical institutional matters such as complaint procedures as well as developments such as in the area of ‘New Rights’.
Practical and contemporary issues, such as the protection of human rights in situations of war or civil disorder will also be addressed.
This comprehensive course has been organised by and will be presented by a dedicated group of experienced experts and  teachers from universities in eleven European countries, co-ordinated by the Viadrina European University Frankfurt (Oder) (Germany). The other participants are the Universities of Lund (Sweden), Sevilla (Spain), Rotterdam, Utrecht (The Netherlands), Aberystwyth, Hull (United Kingdom), Rennes I (France), Maribor (Slovenia), Malta, Vienna and Salzburg (Austria).

Dates
09 - 22 September 2012

Application deadline
31 May 2012

Location
Viadrina European University
Frankfurt (Oder), Germany

Faculty
The teaching staff comes from the different partner universities and each faculty member enjoys a high reputation in his respective field.

• Sofia Cavandoli (Aberystwyth)
• Ryszard Piotrowicz (Aberystwyth)
• Pablo Pareja Alcaraz (Barcelona)
• Stefanie Haumer (Berlin)
• Hans-Joachim Heintze (Bochum)
• Gerard C Rowe (Frankfurt [Oder])
• Carmen Thiele (Frankfurt [Oder])
• Inga Jäkel (Frankfurt ( [Oder])
• Richard Burchill (Hull)
• Nina-Louisa Arold (Lund)
• Therese Comodini Cachia (Malta)
• Silvo Devetak (Maribor)
• Paul Mewis (Rotterdam)
• Jan Rejntes (Rotterdam)
• Ulrike Brandl (Salzburg)
• Michael Geistlinger (Salzburg)
• Leo Zwaak (Utrecht)
  

Who can participate?
This course is especially designed for advanced undergraduate students or recent graduates in order to provide students from all countries of both Western and Eastern Europe with an opportunity to expand their knowledge of human rights law and policy within the transnational European context. Participants are expected to attend for the whole duration of the program.

Participating students should :

• have a good working knowledge of English;
• be at an advanced stage of their studies and
• have at least a basic understanding of public international law

Participants from international organisations or NGOs are also welcome.

Teaching method & materials
Held in English, the summer course will combine lecture and discussion approaches. Lectures will have a maximum number of 50 participants, while discussion groups will be limited to 20 participants. Participants will be expected to be actively involved, including the reading of materials set in advance for each session. Materials especially prepared for this course will be provided free of charge. Certain additional reading materials will be available for purchase.

Certificate and ECTS
A certificate of participation will be issued at the end of the summer course. The students acquire
10 ECTS credits.

Für Studierende des deutschen Rechtsstudiums
Die Teilnahme am Sommerkurs kann gemäß § 27 Abs. 4 der SPO Jura als Zusatzqualifikation (4 SWS) anerkannt werden. Voraussetzung ist eine zu erbringende Leistung während des Moot Courts, die benotet wird. Bei Interesse melden Sie sich vor Beginn der Sommerschule bei Frau Prof. Dr. Carmen Thiele per E-Mail.

Fees
The total fee for the program is EURO 490. This charge includes

• full tuition costs
• accommodation for full period of the program (13 nights accommodation) and
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Monday - Friday throughout both weeks of the program.

Each participant must meet the cost of travel to and from Frankfurt (Oder).

In cases of need, especially in the case of students from Eastern European Universities, a small scholarship may be provided (subject to funding availability and demonstrated need). Further details can be obtained on request by e-mail or fax.