Time Schedule:
David Watkins
POL S 368
Seattle Campus
Studies the international human rights movement in its legal and political context. Focus on institutions which influence, enable, and constrain the international promotion of human rights. Offered: jointly with LSJ 320.
Class description
This course will provide students with an overview of some of the key issues in the politics and law of international human rights. We'll briefly examine the history and philosophy of the idea of human rights, but we'll focus on the international human rights system in the post WWII world. We'll focus on the United Nations declaration of Human Rights, the role of human rights in the international system, human rights international treaties, important legal decisions regarding human rights, and the role of human rights law and philosophy in social movement activism, and the relationship between the "war on terror" and human rights at home and abroad.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Tuesdays and Thursdays will be devoted to large group lectures, along with occasional films. On Wednesdays and Fridays, you'll meet with a small quiz section and a teaching assistant to discuss the topic of the previous day's lecture and assigned readings.
Recommended preparation
This is an introductory course with no prerequisites. Some coursework in the fields of law and/or political science may be helpful, but not necessary.
Class assignments and grading
There will be two exams and two short essays. Participation in discussion is also required.
The grades will be determined by your performance on exams, papers, and discussion. The precise breakdown of the grading scheme has yet to be determined.
