International Human Rights: Theory, Law and Practice

Session: One
Fechas: 29 July - 16 August 2013

Dr Margot Salomon
Dr Jo Murkens

This course will be concerned with a critical exploration of what is meant by human rights and in particular with the possibility that the international human rights movement, together with the law that underpins it, can provide a universal ethical and legal order, binding together an international community of states and peoples. The course will begin with an introductory account of the general idea of human rights and of the history of the idea from ancient Greek origins and the Enlightenment to contemporary understandings of human rights. Early on students will be exposed to several enduring human rights critiques and, through a series of case-studies, examine the tensions that the practice of human rights today highlights, such as in the areas of free speech, prohibiting torture and countering terrorism. Having considered the theories along with several challenges that underpin human rights, the course will turn to assess the structure and standards that govern international human rights law, beginning with an introduction as to what modern international law is and how it is made. This part of the course will consider the international and regional human rights systems and the range of legal instruments and standards that have been developed. The course will then look at various key issues in human rights such as: women's rights; the right of indigenous peoples; the right of peoples to self-determination; the right to development; human rights and poverty; and human rights and environmental protection.

Texts
J. Donnelly, Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, 2nd edition, Cornell University Press, (2003).
M. Freeman, Human Rights, Polity, (2002).
H.J. Steiner, P. Alston & R. Goodman, International Human Rights in Context: Law, Politics, Morals, 3rd edition, Clarendon Press (2008).
R.K.M. Smith, Texts and Materials on International Human Rights, 2nd Edition, Routledge, (2010).

Lectures: 36 hours    Classes: 12 hours
Assessment: Written work and one written examination

Inscripción

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites