This course provides a comprehensive examination of the United States’ legal obligations under the International Bill of Human Rights—comprising the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The course explores how these instruments interact with U.S. domestic law, treaty ratification processes, federalism, and corporate conduct under international legal frameworks.
Through hands-on legal training, students will critically assess the binding and persuasive force of human rights treaties in U.S. courts, evaluate compliance strategies, and develop practical legal tools for advising corporations, litigating human rights issues, and shaping public policy. Emphasis will be placed on navigating the legal, political, and institutional tensions between U.S. law and international human rights commitments.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Understand the legal status and scope of the International Bill of Human Rights.
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Analyze the U.S. treaty ratification and implementation processes as they relate to human rights law.
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Evaluate how U.S. federal and state systems interact with international treaty obligations.
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Apply international human rights principles in the context of litigation, compliance, and corporate governance.
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Conduct treaty interpretation, legal advisory simulations, and human rights risk assessments.
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Identify gaps in U.S. compliance with international obligations and propose legal or policy solutions.
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Develop strategies for advocacy and enforcement of treaty obligations in domestic and transnational contexts.
