An Introduction to Human Rights

The course aims to provide a basic introduction to international human rights, their conceptual and historical foundations, as well as the main international legal instruments and institutions aimed at protecting and promoting human rights worldwide. The course has three purposes: to define and explore the terms, histories, and theories of human rights; examine alternative or competing definitions of human rights; and apply human rights thinking to local and international issues using a case-based approach. Throughout the course, concrete case studies will be used to illustrate the range of human rights problems, as well as the utility of the accountability paradigm to current international and national events and problems. More specifically, students will unpack the rights of particularly vulnerable groups, such as women, children, refugees, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQIA+ communities. The course includes lectures, group discussions, and guest lectures by representatives from local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations.