International Human Rights

Catalog description

This is a seminar course that serves as an introduction to international human rights. Starting from an exploration of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of human rights, the course will examine the different treaty regimes and their reporting mechanisms, different regional systems, and different dispute resolution processes that together form the international human rights regime. This will focus on some of the more fundamental substantive rights, such as the right to life, the right to freedom from torture, the right to liberty, the right to equality, freedom of expression, and freedom of conscience. In examining the jurisprudence of various dispute resolution bodies, the course will also examine the different analytical approaches to the adjudication and enforcement of human rights claims. Students will be required to write and to present in class a research paper. Prior completion recommended of Public International Law. Graded.