POLS 310 - Human Rights in Theory and Practice

Institution:

Point Park University

Subject:

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Description:

This course examines human rights from philosophical, international law, and international relations perspectives, acknowledging the contested meaning of "human rights" and the clash between state sovereignty and human rights. Students learn the contemporary legal, moral, and cultural arguments regarding human rights law and analyze the gap between theory and practice by focusing on major human rights crises around the world. Finally, the course addresses the various solutions to human rights violations, among which humanitarian interventions, and mechanisms of punitive and restorative justice. Students conduct research on a current human rights issue of their choice and try to solve it by "applying the concepts learned in class. CourseObjectives Upon successful completion of the course, the student will: 1)Understand the complex nature of human rights, the types of human rights and the debates surrounding them(e.g. universalism vs. cultural relativism);, 2) Know the main international human rights documents and the mechanisms of protection and enforcement of human rights; 3)Ascertain the role of United States in promoting human rights, nationally and internationally, 4) Understand humanitarian crises such as in Argentina ( "Dirty War"), South Africa (apartheid), Rwanda, Kosovo, or Syria. 5)Understand humanitarian interventions(from legal and moral perspectives); 6) Distinguish between mechanisms of punitive and restorative justice(e.g. International Criminal Courtvs. the truth commissions, apologies and reparations.) ; 7) Research and evaluate the status of particular human rights by using the concepts learned in class.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.pointpark.edu

Phone Number:

(412) 391-4100

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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