module specification

This module examines the theory and institutionalised practice of human rights and the significance of human rights politics for the structure of the changing world order, and of domestic politics for both rights and order. It contextualises, analyzes, evaluates and applies various conceptions of human rights that are operative within international relations, and in relation to academic paradigms used to explain international relations.

Attention is paid to the transformation of state sovereignty by human rights discourse and practice. The relation of human rights to the international order is questioned in the context of the history and philosophy of human rights, liberalism and its critics and opponents, and institutions and systems of international governance and conflict.

Conversely, ideas of realism and constructivism in international relations are questioned by liberal claims for human rights. The globalisation and recent reverses of human rights are critically analysed. Students are encouraged to explore particular cases of international order or conflict and of human rights’ observance or abuse in a way that is sustained and rigorous.

This module contextualises, analyses, evaluates and applies various conceptions of human rights that are operative within international relations, and within the study of international relations.

Three subjects in particular are addressed:

1. the causes of, and reasons for, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the broader development of human rights as a universalizing, globalising, Westernising and institutionalising force in relations between states;
2. the variety of particular states, domestic and foreign policies, other political actors, cultures, and motivating ideologies with which human rights has come into conflict;
3. the transformation of state sovereignty by human rights discourse and practice. These subjects are problematized in the context of the history and philosophy of human rights, liberalism and its critics and opponents, and institutions and systems of international governance and conflict.

There are no pre-requisites.

The indicative syllabus includes the following:

1. Constructing States and Rights (LO 1)
2. Constructing the International Order (LO 1)
3. Liberalism, Realism and Rights (LO 2)
4. The United Nations Project (LO2)
5. Sovereignty and the Responsibility to Protect (LO 3)
6. From the Universal to the Particular (LO 1, 2, 3)

Blended Learning will be a key component of the module. Lecture recordings and documents for use in class will be posted on-line, as will web links for relevant websites and library resources. 

Materials, including questions for discussion and assessment tasks, will be available from the beginning of the module via the Weblearn site, which will include a list of resources students can use to answer the questions and study the subject in greater depth.

Students are required to make a presentation and to participate in critical discussion of lectures and presentations.

Throughout, students will be encouraged to reflect on their learning.

By the end of this module students will be able to:

1. critically evaluate rival conceptions of human rights;
2. outline and explain the political developments that have shaped the pursuit of human rights in the international arena;
3. analyse, explain and evaluate the political tensions and issues arising from the pursuit of human rights in specific contexts, and suggest remedial reforms or actions as appropriate.
4. develop critical abilities to analyse primary and secondary resources focused on human rights.
5. enhance the capacity to work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management, as well as co-operating with other students to achieve common goals.

There will be two summative assessments.

The first is a presentation chosen from a list of questions, each of which has a designated week. The presentation will count for 20% of the final grade.

The second summative essay of 3,500-4,000 words which will provide students with the opportunity to submit a major piece of work of their choosing on a key element of the module.

Both presentation and essay will be assessed primarily on the cogency and logical development of the student’s argument. They will also be assessed on the use of textual evidence in support of the argument, and therefore — especially in essays — on the choice of sources and on the sufficiency, consistency and accuracy of the scholarly apparatus with which the sources are cited.

In addition, both assessments are designed to encourage the development of a variety of employability skills including: research involving information retrieval from a variety of resources; analysing and advocating solutions to problems; developing a reasoned argument; and exercising critical judgement.  In addition to writing, students will be encouraged to reflect on what they have learnt and to make use of constructive feedback.

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