CSP 20 Human Rights: Explorations of International Justice around the World

What are the rights of humans and our role to preserve them? This course will examine the origins of human rights and the intellectual theory and discourse that frame them. First, we will examine the moral, philosophical, legal and political bases for international human rights. We will then focus at the level of “real world” action, controversy and struggle, exploring the complexity of actors and organizations involved in human rights advocacy and enforcement. We will then apply these theories and applications to view specific topics—including immigration, torture, peace-keeping, and gender-based repression. In addition to other formal essay assignments, you will be asked to identify an organization that is working in the human rights sector and contribute some thinking, based on theory and practice, to improve the cause.