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Academic Year 2001/2002

Human Rights Across Cultures
PHIL 259 FA

Are human rights universal? Do cultural differences matter to judgements about human rights? This course will seek answers to such questions in two stages. First we will explore the histories of various human rights discourses, focusing primarily on Europe, the United States, and China. Then we will examine different contemporary reactions to the possibility of plural conceptions of human rights. We will look primarily at philosophical materials, but will also pay some attention to the premises of international legal documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to the assumptions behind activist organizations like Amnesty International.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings will come from a range of primary sources (in translation, where necessary) and contemporary secondary works.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three seven-page papers and several short writing assignments.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

At least one prior course in philosophy or political theory is strongly recommended.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS PHIL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2002

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