Human Rights

Teacher(s): Susan Nytanga

Lessons: 4/week

We often encounter the term Human Rights in everyday life but how much do you understand about the subject? This course explores critical questions and aims to address the centrality of human rights in global politics. Discussions will depart from how and why human rights came into being and how (if) they are changing over time.

During the course, we will together, question the universal applicability of Human Rights, clashes with different religions and local cultures, address the issue of power in the establishment and enforcement of the different rights. In addition, we explore human rights in the wake of terrorism especially in Europe and USA.

Considerations will also be given to the organisations dedicated to the promotion of human rights. A closer look at individual human rights activists and advocates will further enlighten our understanding of this subject area. Can we, during this course and after, become human rights defenders? Can we join in the fight against violations? Through using case studies around human rights issues such as those pertaining to child rights, women’s rights and refugees amongst others -students will gain insights on how human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, promote and defend human rights.