The History and Practice of Human Rights

4 credits · Undergraduate

What are human rights? Where did they originate, when and why? Through what kinds of institutions, practices, and frameworks have they been advocated for and affirmed? And which do we take to be self-evident? Focusing on the last two centuries, especially the late twentieth century to the present, we'll apply historical understanding to these questions, providing perspective on some of today’s most challenging issues, from state violence, military intervention, and international justice, to inequality, corporate abuse and environmental disaster. Our analysis of these topics will center on the law, but we will also consider how the media and social movements have influenced the emergence of human rights thought and practice around the world.