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