Human Rights: Theory and Practice

Over the past 60 years, we have seen “human rights” evolve from an abstract philosophical discourse to an increasingly robust realm of international law and transnational activism. Yet numerous challenging questions remain: what specific claims deserve to be placed within the all-important category of human rights? If we assign this status to many rights (for example economic, environmental, or social rights), do we minimize the overall power of the discourse of human rights? What, if any, are the proper rational foundations for human rights? Are human rights a subtle cover for Western domination and do they supplant alternative, non-Western cultural and legal traditions? How are human rights to be enforced, given the absence of a world government or military force? What is the best strategy for vulnerable populations to seek and secure human rights? This course begins at the most fundamental level, examining what we tend to mean when we say “human rights” and aims at exploring some of the cultural, legal, and political debates central to the discourse of human rights (“human rights in theory”). At the same time, we will go beyond the theoretical level by examining contemporary cases and events which bring these questions into greater focus (“human rights in practice”). To this end, the course materials will include a number of films, documentaries, and artistic productions that make evident the dramatic complexities that characterize the conversation concerning “human rights.” You will be expected to watch the assigned films and clips in preparation for class discussions.