| SES # | TOPICS | KEY DATES |
|---|---|---|
| PART I: Introduction to the Idea and Framework | ||
| 1 | Course Introduction and Organizational Details | |
| 2 | What are Human Rights? History and Character of the Rights Discourse | |
| 3 | Key Conceptual Debates: Cultural Relativism Versus Universality, Relativity of Rights, Liberal Origins, Culture-Sovereignty and Domestic Jurisdiction | |
| 4 | The Framework of Rights and Criticisms of Their Current Relevance | |
| 5 | Sovereignty and Self-determination | |
| 6 | Battle of Algiers Movie and Discussion of Self-determination (cont.) | |
| 7 | Divisions Between the West and the Rest and the Consequences for Human Rights | |
| 8 | American Exceptionalism | |
| 9 | The Torture Debate: Example of American Exceptionalism? | |
| PART II: Root Causes of Human Rights Violations | ||
| 10 | The Push for Democracy and Democratization | |
| 11 | Economic Development and Poverty | Mid-term assignment handed out |
| 12 | Life and Debt Movie and Discussion | Mid-term assignment due |
| 13 | Gender and Sexual Minorities | |
| 14 | Ethnic and Racial Violence and Group Rights: Mass Violence I | |
| 15 | Religious Violence and Millenarianism: Mass Violence II | |
| PART III: Responses to Human Rights Violations | ||
| 16 | Forcible Responses: Intervention and Sovereignty | |
| 17 | Domestic Courts | |
| 18 | Transnational/International Judicial Enforcement | |
| 19 | Other International Mechanisms | |
| 20 | Civil Society - NGOs and Social Movements | |
| PART IV: Dilemmas in Theory and Practice: Selected Current Examples | ||
| 21 | The Problem of Remedies: Accountability for Atrocities | |
| 22 | Globalization and Labor Rights | |
| 23 | Science, Technology and Human Rights | |
| 24 | Concluding Class: Sum Up | Final paper due (graduate) Final exam (undergraduate) |