Human Rights and Global Ethics MA, PGDip, PGCert, by distance learning

The issues facing human rights are worldwide, so it makes sense that you can study them from anywhere. In this distance learning degree, you’ll gain a solid grounding in the political and international theory of human rights and global ethics.

This course combines the study of the main theories and concepts related to human rights and global ethics with detailed empirical analysis of issues such as intelligence, slavery, citizenship, refugees, animal rights, security and war.

By taking this course you will gain a thorough grounding in the political and international theory of human rights and global ethics. You will develop your knowledge of the different theoretical and political perspectives on human rights and study in depth the global political context of pressing ethical issues.

The degree will equip you with the competencies and skills to understand and participate in contemporary debates on human rights and global ethics and to analyse politics and international relations using a mixture of normative, theoretical and empirical tools.

You will gain the knowledge and skills relevant to employment and career development in government, media, business, non-governmental organisations and any professional context in which cross-cultural sensitivity and ethical awareness are a requirement.

By choosing to study by distance learning, you will have the flexibility to fit your study around existing commitments and enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment.

What's the difference?

• For the MA you will complete two core modules, two option modules and a dissertation.
• For the PGDip, you will complete two core modules and two option modules.
• For the PGCert you will complete two core modules.
• The PGDip and PGCert are not available as full-time courses.

Why Leicester?

• Politics and International Relations at Leicester offers a wide range of option modules, letting you shape your studies to fit your own research interests or professional development.
• Our staff play leading roles in cutting-edge global research networks, actively advising and engaging with global policy communities, civil society, the media and the public.
• Distance learning lets you apply new knowledge and insights to your working life while you are still studying. Many students choose to tackle work-related topics in their dissertations.
• You’ll have the opportunity to share ideas and debate with a diverse and interesting group of students, many of whom work in sectors related to security and conflict.

Teaching and learning

Distance Learning

This course is taught entirely online via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard, therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.

As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library's electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You can also make use of the University's Career Development Service as well as a broad range of other support services.

If you live close to Leicester you can, of course, visit the Library in person. For UK-based students who wish to use other libraries, we can issue you with a card which allows you to do so. This is a national scheme which allows distance learning students to borrow material from up to three other participating libraries.

You will be guided through your modules by a well-trained and experienced tutor who will be available online throughout your studies. You will have access to the library’s special service for distance learning students, access to the internet and database services, as well as the virtual learning support environment, Blackboard.

Teaching and Assessment

You will get a weekly reading list accompanied by questions or exercises to get you thinking and help you engage critically with that week's literature. Each week you are invited to join our online forums to discuss your reading, ask questions, share ideas and debate arguments.

Alongside your weekly reading and discussions, you are expected to complete six module activities, designed to build a supportive online community of students as well as develop your key scholarly skills. These take the form of a combination of non-credit-bearing and credit-bearing assessments designed to complement and support the learning objectives for your particular module. Credit-bearing assessments for each module include a reflective statement and an end-of-module essay.

Your modules are structured enough to keep your studies on track whilst remaining flexible to the unique needs of distance learners, many of whom we know combine studies with demanding jobs.

You will be supported by a dedicated team of tutors and support staff available through Blackboard and email. Administrative support is available by telephone, and you can contact your personal tutor via telephone or Skype. You will be encouraged to contact other students to share views, ideas and issues and to create a virtual student community.

For the MA you must complete a dissertation.

Core modules

• The Politics of Human Rights
• The International Politics of Protection
• Plus your Dissertation

Option modules

Choose two optional modules from:

• International Security
• Post-Cold War World Order
• Theories of International Relations
• Intelligence: Key Concepts and Debates
• Strategy in the Modern World
• The Politics of Conflict and Violence
• Political Economy of International Development
• Critical War Studies
• Contemporary Conflict Analysis

The modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Our postgraduate degrees are an excellent way to enhance your expertise and career prospects. A postgraduate course in politics and/or international relations provides a foundation for a wide range of career options. You may seek to use your knowledge to work in government service, international organisations or areas of political research and journalism. Or you may opt to look for employment in an unrelated field such as banking, business or teaching where your MA will be respected as a postgraduate qualification.

Our politics and international relations courses are offered via distance learning, enabling you to tailor your study around your other commitments. The wide range of option modules provides you with the flexibility to tailor your course around your interests and also provides you with the skills and knowledge to move into a variety of careers or postgraduate research.