Philosophy of Human Rights
1300-OG-PHR-KPP
This course will provide with a comprehensive introduction to the philosophy of human rights. The course begins with an overview of the main issues in the conceptualization and justification of human rights. The course then considers the following special topics: Should human rights be understood only negatively, as rights not to be coerced, or they include positive rights—that is, rights to be provided with something (e.g., subsistence, health care, or education). Are human rights culturally relative? We will consider the position that human rights reflect "Western values" and do not apply to other societies. We will also consider the potential conflict between women's rights and traditional values; and feminist criticisms of human rights as androcentric. Other questions include: Are there gay and lesbian rights? Are human rights individual rights, or do they also include group rights? We will also discuss international enforcement and the role of the International Criminal Court.
1.Definition
2.Philosophical Evolution: From Natural Rights to Human Rights
3.Historical and Legal Evolution of Human Rights:
4.Universalism vs. Relativism – 4 hours
5.Human Dignity and its problems – 4 hours
6.Civil and Political Rights – 2 hours
7.Social Economic and Cultural Rights – 2 hours
8.Minority Rights – 2 hours
9.Women’s Rights’ Debates – 2 hours
10.Politics of Human Rights – 4 hours
11.Solidarity and Responsibility – 4 hours
Total student workload
Number or hours with the lecturer (conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams. Start date 16.X.2023):
- participation in discussion seminar - 15 hours
Individual time required for self study:
- Preparation for the test and classes – 85 hours
In total: 100 hours (4 ECTS)
Learning outcomes - knowledge
W1. Student gains knowledge about the leading issues of philosophy of human rights: Student knows major philosophical issues involved in the field of human rights and is able to sort out and compare different themes according to existence of reciprocal links between them.
W2. Student reads representative texts that touch on main problems concerning philosophy of human rights.
Student becomes familiar with philosophical concepts supporting analysis of the main human rights issues, he/she can assign them to specific authors and point out to philosophers dealing with particular subjects.
W3. Student is aware of the importance and significance – for science and society – of reflection on issues concerning philosophy of human rights:
Student is able to identify the relationship between the issues of epistemology and scientific and social problems. Student is able to assess the degree of interrelation between the theoretical and the practical aspects of discussed problems.
Learning outcomes - skills
U1. Student gains skills in analyzing scientific text and undertaking discussion on above-mentioned topics.
Student explores and analyzes scientific texts in the light of particular problems, he/she can present them and be critical about them.
U2. Student gains skills in the efficient use of specialized terminology and presenting workable hypotheses within above-mentioned topics.
Student can present the arguments from selected texts and independently problematize selected issues in the philosophy of human rights.
Learning outcomes - social competencies
K1. Student gains skills in examining scientific problems and be critical about them.
K2. Student gains skills in reproducing the arguments of the selected texts and self problematizing selected issues of contemporary discourse of philosophy of human rights.
K3. Student gains skills in indicating relationships between the issues of epistemology and scientific and social problems. Understanding their mutual influence and shaping ability to assess the degree of theoretical and practical problems
Teaching methods
Lecture and conversation with students
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of English
Course coordinators
Assessment criteria
Written essay (take home assignment) plus participation in the class conversations.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: