The idea of human rights has forced us to re-conceptualize our understanding of the role of the state, the state’s relationship with civil society, and the relationship among nation states. Moreover, human rights norms inform almost every social relationship – rights discourse has changed the way we understand the family, marriage, crime, youth and many other aspects of social life. The course will examine the history, nature and function of human rights. Students will develop an appreciation for the way in which human rights are historically and culturally specific with a focus on major periods of human rights implementation. In addition to exploring the role of regional human rights declarations, institutions, and NGOs, students in this course will engage with controversial debates surrounding competing rights claims, such as collective versus individual rights or the legitimacy of economic rights. The course emphasizes comparative and interdisciplinary learning.
Visit the updates page regularly for news and corrections.
Will Kymlicka. The New Debate Over Minority Rights. (includes 2005 postscript) |
Can not afford the course package? All the articles/chapters in the package are available at Rutherford library. Print this index of the course reading package and locate the readings in the library. |
|
If you have questions regarding your participation mark, do NOT email me. Please see me in person.
|
