Please note that the following description of the course is only provisional and therefore subject to change.
Admission requirements
The course can be followed by law students, students from other relevant disciplines and exchange students.
Description
Children’s rights have been of growing importance since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989. This almost universally ratified human rights treaty stipulates that children must be regarded as bearers of human rights and fundamental freedoms. To this end, the CRC enshrines both civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. At the same time children are entitled to specific rights, special measures of protection which underscore the special position of the child, among others in relation to their parents and family, and the special responsibility of the State to safeguard the rights of children.
This course provides an introduction to children’s rights as part of international human rights law and addresses the meaning of the children’s rights framework for children at the domestic level. To this end, the general principles of the CRC (arts 2, 3, 6 and 12) as well as its monitoring system will be highlighted. In addition, a number of specific issues will be addressed including, among others, child abuse and neglect, child protection and alternative care, children in conflict with the law (juvenile justice) and children in armed conflict.
Course objectives
- Students are able to identify and explain contemporary legal issues and developments regarding the specific position of children under international human rights law.
- Students are able to identify and explain the different tools for implementing and monitoring children's rights.
- Students are able to identify and explain the theoretical aspects of different (legal) children's rights issues.
- Students are able to apply the CRC and related international and regional legal instruments concerning children to specific cases, theses and (historical) developments.
- Students are able to reflect upon critical and topical children's rights issues in one or more written assignments and during discussions in class.
Timetable
The timetable of this course can be found in uSis.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
Number of (2 hour) lectures: 10
Names of lecturers: Various (guest) lecturers
Required preparation by students: reading of literature/case law before class meetings and prepare questions for discussion.
Assessment method
Examination form(s)
Written exam (90%)
Participation through weekly journals (10%)
Students have to turn in a weekly journal (1 A4; further instructions will be published on Blackboard) on the course materials (i.e. five in total). If all five journals have been turned in, this will be graded with a 10 (i.e. counting for 10% of the final grade). Each journal that will not be handed in and/or is not satisfactory, results in a deduction of 2 points. If no journals have been turned in, students will not be allowed to participate in the written exam.
The final grade (the written exam and participation through the weekly journals together) should be a 5.5 or higher to pass the course. Students may retake the written exam if the grade point average of the course components is below 5.5. The grade for the participation through weekly journals remains valid for the retake.
If students fail the course, remaining grades with a satisfactory result will not remain valid.
Submission procedures
The weekly journals must be submitted in hard copy and digitally via Blackboard (Safe Asign).
Areas to be tested within the exam
The examination syllabus consists of the required reading (literature) for the course, the course information guide and the subjects taught in the lectures, the seminars and all other instructions which are part of the course.
Blackboard
More information on this course is offered in Blackboard.
Reading list
Obligatory course materials
Literature:
- Reader (to be announced on Blackboard)
Course information guide:
- Outline as posted on Blackboard
Recommended course materials
- To be announced on Blackboard
Registration
Students have to register for courses and exams through uSis.
Exchange students have priority and will be registered for the course first. Any remaining seats will be available for students from Leiden University and other Dutch Universities.
Contact information
Coordinator: Mr. H.B.J.W. Hulshof, LL.M.
Work address: Department of Child Law, KOG B3.31
Telephone number: 071 527 6729
Institution/division
Institution: Institute for Private Law
Division: Department of Child Law
Room number secretariat: KOG, room B2.43
Opening hours: Front desk from Monday/Friday 09h00 – 13h30 hours
Telephone number secretariat: 071 527 6056
E-mail: jeugdrecht@law.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
- A maximum of 120 students can participate in this course.