INTERNATIONAL
Basic Understanding of Human Rights - Theory and Practice
SPRING BN201
Tuesday
Mary Purcell
This course will introduce students to some of the key components of Human Rights theory and practice. It will examine the history and philosophy of Human Rights from the time of the Greeks and Romans to modern day. It will look at Human Rights law at the United Nations, Regional (Europe, Americas and Africa) Islamic and Irish level. It will explore examples of human rights abuse and their remedies in South Africa, Middle East and in Ireland.
| BELFIELD | ||
| 8 Mondays |
Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar 4, 11, 25 (No class Mar 18) |
7.30pm - 9.30pm |
|
FEE €155 |
Print Open Learning Application Form 2012.13 or ring (01) 716-7123 for Laser/credit card payment |
Tutor Details:
Mary Purcell has a B.A. and M.A degree in political science from University College Dublin and has completed extensive research on the issue of the rights based approach to development. She has worked for more than 30 years in the Human Rights and Development sectors in organisations such as Christian Aid, Irish Aid and Amnesty International. Currently she is a lobbyist at the United Nations, working on issues of Environment and Human Trafficking.
Provisional list of key topics to be covered:
- Definition of Human Rights
- History/philosophy of Human Rights
- International Law and Human Rights
- Systems for enforcing Human Rights internationally – International Courts of Human Rights and Regional courts
- Critiques of Human Rights
- Human Rights and Islam
- Human Rights in South Africa
- Students case studies of Human Rights issues and conclusions
Who is the course for?
The course is aimed at anyone with a broad interest in human rights. It may be of particular interest to those who wish to work in a human rights organisation or to persons already working or volunteering in this area. Others employed in government agencies or NGOs who might wish to apply a rights based approach to their work would also benefit from this course. Students or graduates with an academic interest in human rights and those who have an interest in the United Nations or human rights issues they read about in the newspapers will also enjoy this course.
Reading List:
The following is a selection of recommended texts for those interested in reading further around the course content. We advise that you do not buy books in advance of the course as your tutor will discuss the list and suggest the most relevant reading for particular interests.
*United nations Human Rights Commission , European Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International website
Charter of the United Nations: www.un.org/en/documents/charter
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: www.un.org/en/documents/udhr
Stand up for your rights The Economist 2007 www.economist.com/node/8888856
Human Rights? What’s that? The Economist, 14th October 2010 http://www.economist.com/node/17259138
Thinking the Unthinkable, The Economist, 11 November 2010 http//www.economist.com/node/17463443
The International Criminal Court bares its teeth. The Economist, 12th May 2011: http://www.economist.com/node/18682044
Donnelly J (2003) Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice (Cornell University Press)
Weiss, T. (2008) What’s wrong with the United Nations (and how to fix it) Polity Whats wrong series
Alston P & Merget F (2010) The UN and Human Rights: A critical Appraisal*
ANC Constitutional Committee (1990) Bill of Rights for a New South Africa – Centre for Development Studies – South Africa
Balakrishnan R & Heintz J (2010) Why Human Rights are indispensable to financial regulation
Beidek W, Franzens K etc (2007) Economic Globalisation and Human Rights
Cassese, A. (1990) Human Rights in a Changing World (Cambridge, Polity Press)
Chomsky N (2006) Conversations with Naom Chomsky on the Post 9-11 World
Ishay, M (2007) The Human Rights Reader Routledge, New York
Shivji, I (1989) The Concept of Human Rights in Africa, Codesria, London
Shute, S and Hurley, S.(1993) On Human Rights, Basic Books, New York
Taylor, C. (l986) Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights, UNESCO, Paris
