HUMAN RIGHTS IN LAW AND SOCIETY

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: LEGAL ST/SOC 131 , POLI SCI/LEGAL ST 217 , or Junior standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Advanced L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Articulate and analytically discuss the origins, structure, justification, and impact of the international human rights system. Students will know the main international institutions and treaties governing human rights in our world, as well as the main policy debates about human rights. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Articulate and analytically discuss human rights’ potential and limits in creating social and political change. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Recognize the challenges facing human rights law and institutions in light of the changing geopolitical world order. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Articulate and critically discuss the distinct ways in which various academic disciplines approach the same topic, revealing the structure of how we create knowledge. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Identify opportunities for employment or further study, assess their qualifications for these opportunities, and identify strategies for gaining the necessary knowledge and experience. Audience: Graduate 6. Develop and maintain portfolios of their written work and educational experiences to aid them in preparing applications and to learn how to present their materials. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Articulate and analytically discuss the origins, structure, justification, and impact of the international human rights system. Students will know the main international institutions and treaties governing human rights in our world, as well as the main policy debates about human rights. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Articulate and analytically discuss human rights’ potential and limits in creating social and political change. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Recognize the challenges facing human rights law and institutions in light of the changing geopolitical world order. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Articulate and critically discuss the distinct ways in which various academic disciplines approach the same topic, revealing the structure of how we create knowledge. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Identify opportunities for employment or further study, assess their qualifications for these opportunities, and identify strategies for gaining the necessary knowledge and experience. Audience: Graduate 6. Develop and maintain portfolios of their written work and educational experiences to aid them in preparing applications and to learn how to present their materials. Audience: Graduate