2014/2015  KAN-CPOLO1046U  Business Responsibilities for Human Rights

English Title

Business Responsibilities for Human Rights

Course information
Language	English
Course ECTS	7.5 ECTS
Type	Mandatory
Level	Full Degree Master
Duration	One Semester
Course period	Spring
Timetable	Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board	Study Board for BSc/MSc i International Business and Politics, MSc
Course coordinator
Lynn Roseberry - MPP
Main academic disciplines
Business Law International Politics
Last updated on 02-07-2014

Learning objectives

The purpose of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to identify when business activities are likely to impinge on internationally recognized human rights and enable them to identify and formulate legal, political and business arguments for and against holding businesses responsible for respecting human rights. After concluding the course, students should demonstrate: Explain and evaluate what 'human rights' are. Assess the system for the protection of international human rights and analyze the ways in which it affects business behaviors and strategies. Identify and critically discuss the human rights issues raised in specific business cases, by referring to relevant human rights instruments, including codes of conduct, adopted by international organizations, e.g. United Nations Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights, OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and companies. Formulate recommendations for action to be taken by a business in a given case, supported by legal, political and business arguments that take into account internationally recognized human rights.

Examination

Business Responsibilities for Human Rights: Exam ECTS 7,5 Examination form Home assignment - written product Individual or group exam Individual Size of written product Max. 15 pages Assignment type Written assignment Duration Written product to be submitted on specified date and time. Grading scale 7-step scale Examiner(s) One internal examiner Exam period Summer Term Make-up exam/re-exam Same examination form as the ordinary exam

Course content and structure

The course will cover the content and legal effects of the international treaties that embody what many recognize as “the international bill of rights”, the UN Guiding Principles, and other instruments of international law and policy concerning the relationship between business and human rights. The course will also provide an introduction to the development of the main international political and legal arguments for the proposition that businesses have some responsibility to respect human rights wherever they operate, regardless of the national legal context.

Teaching methods

Lectures