Human Rights: International Dimensions

Transcription

1 Political Science Cape Breton University Human Rights: International Dimensions POLS credits Fall 2016 Terry Gibbs Tel: terry_gibbs@cbu.ca Office hours: Mon/Wed:9-11:30am Office: CC257 Course Description: This course examines the nature of human rights exploring both the philosophical and ideological claims to truth associated with human rights discourse. We will attempt to situate contemporary ideas and practices associated with human rights in the context of the current global political economy. We will ask how economic globalization challenges the common sense approach to human rights (i.e. the idea that we all know and agree on what we re talking about). We will look at how people talk about rights and how the powerful use political and economic systems to insulate themselves from accountability. We will examine the causes of rights abuse and the ways and means of rights enforcement addressing the challenges of promoting universal rights standards. The course will consist of both lecture and seminar format giving students the opportunity to explore specific case studies and themes. Through the course students will gain a foundation in the language and practice of human rights and will be able to apply this knowledge to important contemporary cases. Expected Learning Outcomes, Students: Will gain an understanding of the roots and nature of human rights discourses. Will be able to critically examine power relationships as they relate to human rights. Will gain an appreciation of the contested and deeply political nature of human rights as they relate to social justice. Will become familiarized with the tools and methods for measuring and monitoring human rights. Will hone their skills in public speaking and group facilitation.

2 Grading: Participation 20% Rant and Rave Assignment (Oct.6 th ) 10% Special Assignment on Diversity/Inclusivity 20% Research Paper (Nov.24 th ) 30% Or pair presentation with report Final Take-Home Exam 20% Text: Michael Goddhart, Human Rights: Politics and Practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press, Additional readings and resources will be posted on the course moodle site. Students are expected to regularly engage with the course moodle site for course updates and announcements, case study information and readings. Useful Resources: Amnesty International ( Human Rights Watch ( Cultural Survival ( UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ( Course Summary Part I: The Political Nature of Human Rights Topic One: Introduction to Human Rights Text, Intro and Chapter One Setting parameters for dialogue. What do we mean by human rights? Who is entitled to rights? What is the current context of the human rights debate? Topic Two: Universalism vs. Relativism Text, Chapter 2 Are there universal values? What is cultural relativism? What are the invisible barriers to women achieving their rights? How do we understand the connection between political struggle and the achievement of human rights? Pols 3136, Fall 2016, p.2

3 Topic Three: Human Rights in International Relations Text, Chapter 3 What is the relationship between human rights and foreign policy? How realistic is the Responsibility to Protect doctrine given the context of contemporary geopolitics? To what degree can the human rights discourse be seen as a Western construction? Topic Four: International Law and the Limits of Sovereignty Text, Chapter 4 How effective are human rights treaties? How do we understand rights as interdependent and indivisible? What are the strengths and weaknesses of international law with regard to human rights? Are human rights about the aspirations of states or should they be clearly articulated and enforceable? Topic Five: Human Rights in Comparative Perspective Text, Chapter 5 If cultures and societies are so different how do we effectively compare their human rights records? Why are civil and political rights more visible and more easily enforced than social and economic rights? How important are state institutions in ensuring human rights reform? Topic Six: Power, Privilege and the Critique of Human Rights Text, Chapter 7 In what ways has international intervention weakened the promotion of human rights? To what degree is the promotion of human rights by states led by strategic versus ethical concerns? How do we understand the idea of sovereignty in both the violation and promotion of human rights? Pols 3136, Fall 2016, p.3

4 Topic Seven: Measuring and Monitoring Human Rights Text, Chapter 8 Why is it important to measure human rights violations and how is it most effectively achieved? What kinds of tools are currently used to assist in monitoring and measuring human rights? To what degree are these tools ideological? Part Two: Human Rights in Action Topic Eight: Civil Society and Social Struggle Text, Chapter 9 How much influence do we have over our societies? How is civil society related to the rule of law? What is the relationship between global civil society and democracy? Why are human rights groups referred to as norm entrepreneurs? Topic Nine: Identity and Human Rights Text, Chapters 10 and 11 What is the difference between sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression? What are some of the ways in which people of minority sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression are vulnerable to human rights abuses? In what ways does religion influence our views of human rights? When religious rights conflict with other rights, how should this be mediated? Topic Ten: Development, Globalization and Human Rights Text, Chapters 12 and 13 What is the meaning of development? How are human rights and development connected? What is the relationship between globalization and development? In what ways does the concept of sustainability influence the theory and practice of development? Pols 3136, Fall 2016, p.4

5 Topic Eleven: Democracy and Political Repression Text, Chapters 14 and 15 What is the meaning of democracy? Who should decide whether countries are democratic or not? How are democracy and repression related? Are there circumstances under which torture may be acceptable? How may we diminish torture around the world? Topic Twelve: Indigenous Peoples in the Human Rights Debate Text, Chapter 19 What have been the meanings and repercussions of the Doctrine of Discovery? Are individual rights sufficient to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples? In what ways have indigenous actions and knowledge contributed to our understanding of and solutions to climate change? What is at the root of the struggle of the indigenous for self-determination and why has this struggle led to conflict with liberal democratic states and the capitalist economy? Topic Thirteen: Nature and Non-Human Animals as Bearers of Rights Text, Chapter 23 In what ways are environmental issues connected to human rights? Should nature itself have rights? Should non-human animals have rights? Does environmental sustainability necessarily involved figuring out the rights of future generations? Topic Fourteen: Looking Forward: Human Rights Process and Praxis Key themes/issues: How do we ensure our own agency and the agency of others in political and social processes? Progress and process Imagining an alternative society Pols 3136, Fall 2016, p.5

6 Assignment Guidelines: Basic guidelines and expectations for assignments will be posted on the course moodle site. Students are expected to regularly engage with moodle for course updates and announcements, case study information and supplementary readings. No late papers or essays will be accepted without special permission. Plagiarism: When writing your assignments, make sure to properly acknowledge and/or footnote arguments, evidence or other material taken from another person s work. CBU sees plagiarism as a serious violation of academic rules. Please read carefully the notes on plagiarism in the CBU online calendar before submitting assignments. Plagiarism involves giving no recognition to an author for phrases or arguments taken from their work and used in your essays or reports. It is also a form of plagiarism to submit work that has already been submitted in another course even if it is your work. Pols 3136, Fall 2016, p.6