Curriculum

As approved by the University of Notre Dame and the American Bar Association, our LL.M. students enroll for one academic year, during which they must complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work. Courses are assigned from 1 to 4 hours of credit depending upon the number of hours scheduled each week for the course.

Fall Semester

The following courses are required of students pursuing the LL.M. in International Human Rights Law:

• International Law (3 credits)
• Introduction to Human Rights Research and Writing (1 credit)
• Introduction to Human Rights (3 credit hours)
• Accountability for Gross Human Rights Violations (3 credits)

In addition to the required curriculum listed above, students design their own concentration of fall semester study from a wide range of courses both within the Law School and in other University departments, such as:

• Civil Rights Law (3 Credits)
• International Environmental Law (3 credits)
• Catholic Social Thought (2 credits)
• Globalization and Multinational Corporate Responsibility (2 credits)
• Ethnic Conflict Peace Process (3 credits)
• International Labor Law (3 credits)
• Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (3 credits)
• Politics of Reconciliation (3 credits)
• Women’s Human Rights (3 credits)
• Law of International Trade (3 credits)

At the discretion of the Director, students may receive an exemption from one or more of these required courses.

Spring Semester

The following courses are required of students pursuing the LL.M. in International Human Rights Law:

• Human Rights Practice (3 credits)
• Regional Human Rights Protection (3 credits)

In addition to the required curriculum listed above, students design their own concentration of spring semester study from a wide range of courses both within the Law School and in other disciplines.

• LL.M. Thesis (4 credits)
• Gender Issues and International Law Seminar (3 credits)
• International Criminal Law (3 credits)
• Intellectual Property and International Justice (3 credits)
• Law of Terrorism (3 credits)
• Legal and Ethical Issues Regarding the Use of Force (2 credits)
• Transnational Corporations and Human Rights (3 credits)
• Restorative Justice (3 credits)
• NGO Management (3 credits)
• Intensive Trial Advocacy (4 credits)

At the discretion of the Director, students may receive an exemption from one or more of these required courses.