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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL/LAW 230"
COURSE NAME: "Human Rights"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2023
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Pamela Harris
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: M-Th 14-16.15
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on understanding what human rights are and what are the challenges to their realization. Students will examine what specific protections ought to be granted to vulnerable groups, like women, children, stateless persons, refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. The special challenges related to the protection of human rights in an age of globalization, and the challenges to human rights protection posed by terrorism and its consequences are also analyzed. An interdisciplinary approach will be used to examine different cases and understand the main human rights issues at stake.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1.         Introduction: What are Human Rights?

2.         History of Human Rights

3.         Human Rights, Imperialism and Self-Determination: universalism v. relativism; women’s human rights

4.         Human Rights as Politics: global multilateral institutions for naming and shaming

5.         Human Rights as Law: regional and national courts for declaring violations

6.         Civil and Political Rights

            a.         Freedom of Expression

            b.         Freedom of Religion

            c.         Privacy

            d.         Security and Physical Integrity

7.         Economics, Business and Human Rights

8.         Critical Assessments
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will gain a critical understanding of the political, legal and ethical significance of human rights in contemporary international affairs. They will learn how to frame an advocacy project, and refine their writing and oral presentation skills.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Human Rights: Theory and PracticeMichael GoodhartOxford University Press9780190085469  Ebook https://global.oup.com/ushe/product/human-rights-9780190085469?cc=us&lang=en&
Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, 3rd. editionJack DonnellyCornell University Press978-0-8014-6749-3 available on JstoreEbook https://www-jstor-org.jcu.idm.oclc.org/stable/10.7591/j.ctt1xx5q2
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
International Human Rights LawMoeckli, et. al.Oxford University Press9780198860112  
Human Rights: A Very Short Introduction, 2nd editionAndrew ClaphamOxford University Press9780198706168JC571 .C596 2015the 1st edition, from 2007, is available on ProQuest: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.jcu.idm.oclc.org/lib/johncabot/reader.action?docID=415420&ppg=32

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Mid-term examreading comprehension, analysis and essay questions20%
Participationprepared and active attendance, contribution to the class discussion10%
online forum contributionsYou will be expected to post at least one short paragraph on the relevant Moodle forum by 10:30 a.m. on the day of each class. You will receive a B+ grade for this assessment simply if you post on time for each class. Thoughtful, careful contributions will be valued more highly. You may miss two posts without excuse, more than that will count against your grade for this assessment. 15%
Final exam  30%
Paper7-10 page paper on a human rights topic of your choice, to be approved by the instructor25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the issue and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the strongest arguments on both sides, and a creative resolution.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Work at this level demonstrates an ability to provide strong reasons for a certain position. Discussions reflect the student’s own critical assessment, going beyond the simple description of lecture and reference material.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, describing the basic information offered in the lectures and reference readings, but not critically engaging with it.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted, irrelevant points included, or basic errors have been made.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant or wrong.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class participation, for which attendance is an basic component, is worth 10% of your final grade. After 2 unexcused absences, this part of your grade will start to suffer.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE