Human Rights in Business Field of study: International Business Law and Arbitration
Programme code: 07-S2LA19.2019

Module name: Human Rights in Business
Module code: IBLA-BL-HRB
Programme code: 07-S2LA19.2019
Semester:
  • winter semester 2025/2026
  • winter semester 2024/2025
  • winter semester 2023/2024
  • winter semester 2022/2023
  • winter semester 2021/2022
  • winter semester 2020/2021
Language of instruction: English
Form of verification: exam
ECTS credits: 2
Description:
The purpose of the course is primarily to acquaint the students with the sources of human rights and the content of social and economic human rights, as well as international mechanisms for their control. The goal is also to instil in the student that the entrepreneur is obliged to respect human rights. What is more, as the participants of international business transactions can both positively and negatively affect the lives of both their employees and society in a wider scope, the course will also address the issue of corporate social responsibility and fair trade. As a consequence, the student should also be able to assess and use the information in the field of human rights so that by operating in the business environment, they can actively prevent the negative effects of enterprises. It should also be emphasized that the subject is aimed at broadening the student's general knowledge.
Prerequisites:
None
Key reading:
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/GuidingPrinciplesBusinessHR_EN.pdf The Oxford handbook of international human rights law, Dinah Shelton (ed.), Oxford 2013 (selected chapters) Business and human rights, Manoj Kumar Sinha (ed.), New Deli 2013, (selected chapters) Regulating corporate human rights violations : humanizing business, Surya Deva, Routledge, >London-New York 2014 (selected issues) The business and human rights landscape : moving forward, looking back / edited by Jena Martin, Karen E. Bravo, Cambridge 2016 (selected chapters) Legal acts: UN - https://treaties.un.org/Pages/Treaties.aspx?id=4&subid=A&clang=_en ILO - https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/introduction-to-international-labour-standards/conventions-and-recommendations/lang--en/index.htm CoE - https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list
Learning outcome of the module Codes of the learning outcomes of the programme to which the learning outcome of the module is related [level of competence: scale 1-5]
Has an advanced knowledge about the axiology and the essence of regulations adopted by the international community in the area of human rights. [HRB_1]
 IBLA_W01 [4/5]
Has a structured knowledge of the institutions and legal structures concerning human rights, developed on international forums. In particular he/she recognizes the difference between the regulations of international and national laws. [HRB_2]
 IBLA_W02 [3/5]
Knows the principal issues in the field of public international law (in particular - the international human rights law), understands its specificity in comparison with other branches of law, correctly defines its sources (particularly international agreements), its objects (with special regard to states, international organizations and some legal persons) and judicial and non-judicial methods means of resolving international disputes. [HRB_3]
 IBLA_W08 [3/5] IBLA_W14 [2/5]
Knows and understands the meaning of the protection of human rights in business, properly defines them and knows how to protect them. Understands the importance of corporate social responsibility and fair trade. [HRB_4]
 IBLA_W12 [4/5]
Is able to assess the specific situation related to the potential violations of human rights in business, predict the position of the parties (states-parties of an certain international agreement, entrepreneur, trade unions / individual) and propose the most appropriate solution for a specific problem, basing on the international law and potentially applicable procedures. [HRB_5]
 IBLA_U03 [3/5] IBLA_U04 [3/5] IBLA_U05 [3/5]
Is prepared to act as a representative of the interests of individuals / trade unions in compliance with the standards of protection of human rights in business, is able to coordinate the formulation of postulates regarding respecting the above (also adressed to the international human rights treaty bodies), simultaneously taking into account the interests of entrepreneurs. [HRB_6]
 IBLA_K03 [3/5]
Representing the interests of the entrepreneur, ensures compliance with the CSR standards and protection of human rights in business. [HRB_7]
 IBLA_K06 [3/5] IBLA_K07 [3/5]
Type Description Codes of the learning outcomes of the module to which assessment is related
Written exam [HRB_w_1]
Student answers questions (open-ended and closed) covering the content of the course, which are structured to assess both knowledge and skills.
 HRB_1 HRB_2 HRB_3 HRB_4
Case study [HRB_w_2]
The instructor asks students to solve a specific problem in the field of protection of human rights in business. Written solution should include an explicit position of students, an indication of the appropriate legal basis and the procedure resulting from it, and justification of the answer. During the next class, the instructor discusses the issue by checking whether the students have managed to solve the problem, indicates possible errors and shows the correct solution.
 HRB_3 HRB_5
Discussion [HRB_w_3]
Students participate in a discussion focused on a specific issue / problem, presenting their knowledge and skills in finding an adequate (in case of problem) solution. The discussion also serves to verify students' attitudes towards specific issues, concerning the axiology in business (such as CSR or fair trade).
 HRB_4 HRB_5 HRB_6 HRB_7
Form of teaching Student's own work Assessment of the learning outcomes
Type Description (including teaching methods) Number of hours Description Number of hours
lecture [HRB_fs]
Lecture combined with discussion and the use of knowledge acquired as part of students' individual work by solving case studies, preparing positions, playing the role of a specific party in a dispute concerning the protection of human rights in business.
 16
Self-study of indicated literature and decisions of international bodies, reading the indicated legal acts, opinions, views and comments.
 34 Written exam [HRB_w_1] Case study [HRB_w_2] Discussion [HRB_w_3]
Attachments
Module description (PDF)
Information concerning module syllabuses might be changed during studies.
Syllabuses (USOSweb)
Semester Module Language of instruction
(no information given)