TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE - Research - University of Ulster

6. LLM in HUMAN RIGHTS LAWThe LLM in Human Rights Law at the University of Ulster began in September 2005 and is being delivered by theTransitional Justice Institute in association with the School of Law at both the Jordanstown and Magee campuses.The LLM programme, which has recently been revised to reflect the research strengths of the staff, is made up ofseveral modules (and half-modules) including:• Foundations of International Human Rights Law• Foundations of Transitional Justice• Advanced Human Rights Law• Equality Law• Policing and Human Rights• Gender and Political Transition• Politics of Memory• Political Violence, ‘Wars on Terror’ and the Law• Critical Perspectives on Human Rights• Economic, Social and Cultural Rights• Globalization, Development and Human Rights• Human Rights and Conflict Resolution• Transitions from Conflict: Law and Politics• DissertationThe LLM in Human Rights Law programme is now entering its fourth year of delivery. The 2007/08 cohort of LLMstudents commenced their studies in September 2007 following two days of Induction and Registration whichincluded training sessions and formal induction onto the course. The participation of international students in theprogramme this year was again made possible by the provision of funding from the Planethood Foundation. In2007, scholarship funding was secured from the central University in the form of international fee waivers wherebyinternational students will pay partial fees, facilitating greater numbers of post-graduate students on the LL.M. degreeprogramme.Postgraduate ForumThe TJI continues to run a Postgraduate Forum which has involved a combination of film & discussion events, seminarsand research workshops complementing the formal teaching component of the degree programme. The programmeremains successful and diverse showcasing the best of teaching innovations and research being undertaken at theInstitute. The Forum is led by Dr Kirk Simpson.An internship for one LL.M. students at the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) is ongoing, and wehave also established an internship programme at the Northern Ireland Law Centre. We were delighted this year thatone of our outstanding LL.M. students Sian Fisher was awarded the NIHRC award for outstanding dissertation.InternshipsThe TJI have established internship opportunities for students with local statutory bodies and NGOs. LLM studentsmay apply for three prestigious internships. These are with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the LawCentre (NI), and Disability Action. The internships last for a period of 10 weeks with up to one student per semesterbeing selected following a competitive application process. The internships run from October to December, orMarch to June. The TJI also works to encourage and facilitate other international internships.NI Human Rights Commission Dissertation PrizeThe Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission sponsors the Annual Best LLM Dissertation Prize which is awardedto the LLM student who has submitted the best dissertation in that year. Ms Sian Fisher was the recipient of the2007 Dissertation Prize and was presented with £500 in recognition of her achievement. Sian’s dissertation on ChildSoldiers is held for consultation in the NI Human Rights Commission library.30