OAFP 9255 - From Norms to Practice: Advancing Labour Rights for Social Justice

From Norms to Practice: Advancing Labour Rights for Social Justice, examines how international social law intersects with and influences national social frameworks, focusing on the International Labour Organization (ILO), Europe and France. We will explore the dynamic and sometimes challenging interactions between universal standards and unique national contexts, investigating how international social norms—particularly labour standards—remain relevant and adaptable in today’s era of (de)globalization.

Through case studies and analysis, we will consider the effectiveness of international social regulations in addressing contemporary issues, such as protectionism, free trade, corporate responsibility and human rights due diligence. Emphasis will be placed on the geopolitical and societal obstacles, such as the tension between universalism and cultural particularities, that impact the implementation of these standards at the global, European, and national levels.

Moreover, we will examine how governments integrate social policies and actions into their national law, adjusting to constraints of international rules that may raise, in order to advance the rule of law.

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• This course will be delivered in a three-part format.
• First, each class will start with a group presentation on a key issue related to the class of the day. The aim is to brief on a issue and give specific recommendations to tackle the issue.
• Second, the professors will give a seminar to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the subject of the day.
• The last part of the class will be an interactive discussion where students will engage in group work to explore a specific public policy issue tied to one of the class topics, such as the impact of international labour norms on national legislation. This will allow students to apply theory to real-world policy-making challenges.

Active participation in classes activities, including simulation and discussions on case studies. Each session has a list of readings that students are expected to read and come prepared to discuss in class (see last page for presentation topics). (10%)

Group presentation of 2 or 3 students maximum (15%), completed by one written essay based on the topic of the presentation, integrating the feedback received after the oral presentation, to be submitted one week after the presentation. (20%).

Syllabus, readings, methodology and exam instructions will be posted on Moodle.

• Each session has a list of readings, 1 compulsory text and a few others for those wishing to go further. Students are expected to read one text every week and come prepared to discuss it in class. The readings will be closely related to the content discussed in class.
• Participation is assessed in quality, rather than in quantity, so students are expected to coming prepared to each session in order to engage with the material discussed.

In groups of 2 or 3, students will give an oral presentation and write a paper on the same topic during the semester.

• Students write an individual end of term essay (policy paper).