University of the Incarnate Word
Summer II 2012
Global Human Rights
History-4350-02/ Govt. 4387 /AD 242 /1:00-4:00pm TR
Dr. Lopita Nath
Office: AD 357
Office Hours: By prior appointment.
Telephone: 210-832-2187
Email:
Course Description:
This course explores the changing concept and practice of human rights in a globalized and politically re-aligned world. The themes to be examined are social justice, human rights and its understanding globally, the challenge of genocidal politics, rights of refugees and the internally displaced, women and child rights, communal politics and religious minorities, class and caste conflicts, ethnicity and identity, environment and development, poverty and global hunger, and the intersection of morality and the pursuit of international justice. The course will also examine governmental policy related to the promotion and protection of human rights through an interventionist and coercive diplomacy as well as an adherence to international norms. The course will be dealt with from a historical perspective and will cover the colonial and post-colonial periods (1600-present).
Materials for this course will combine the latest multidisciplinary scholarship and visual materials. Lectures will be geared to introducing the students to an overall historical, cultural, political and socio-economic background to human rights issues in the world. It is expected that at the end of the course the students will critically examine the Human Rights situation in the world.
Required Readings:
Goodhart, Michael (ed.). Human Rights: Politics and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Other Readings will be posted on Blackboard.
The grades for the course will be based on the following method of evaluation.
1. Attendance, Participation and discussion. 20%- Attendance in class is of primary importance and is required at all class discussions and film screenings. You are also expected to keep up with the assigned readings and come prepared to the class to actively participate in the discussions and raise issues for intelligent discussion. If you must miss a class, please notify me in advance. Any unexcused absence after the first two will reduce your final grade by one third of a letter grade. Two late arrivals count as one absence (15minutes after class begins will be considered late and this is to be taken seriously). Being unprepared for class discussion will also count as an unexcused absence. I will have a roll sheet which will be circulated each class for you to initial to document your attendance. Your preparation and active participation is vital to the success of this course.
2. Reflections on the Films: 15%. You have to write your reflections on any two films seen in class.
3. Human Rights Squares: 10%
4. Research paper: 20%
5. Presentation: 15%
6. “Who Cares” Report Analysis: 20%
Participation: Students in the class will be divided into groups. Each group on a rotation basis will be responsible for bringing at least two/three questions or materials to lead the discussion on the relevant topic of the day. The questions can be based on the readings or on any question of human rights pertaining to the topic. These discussions will be documented in a journal to be submitted on the dates mentioned in the calendar. This will be graded so please cooperate.
Expectations: Discussion and participation in class is an important component of this class, and in order to facilitate the open discussion of ideas every student is expected to respect the rights and opinions of the others.
Grading System:
A paper or any written work to receive an ‘A’ Grade must be outstanding in content , organization, documentation and style. It must demonstrate an interesting argumentative thesis within context of the topic, original ideas that are well developed and sufficiently supported by well-documented textual evidence. It should have a clear introduction, main body and a logical conclusion and smooth transitions within and between paragraphs. The style and flow must be clear and lucid and free of grammatical, idiomatic and/or typographical errors.
A Paper to receive a ‘B” Grade must have a thesis with arguments that are reasonably developed, even if the paper itself is not consistent, nor comprehensive. The introduction should have sufficient clues that logically lead to the conclusion, a fairly smooth transition within and between paragraphs, and a style that is clear and readable, though marred by a few grammatical and idiomatic errors that may interfere with the meaning.
Any paper that falls short in any of the categories highlighted above but otherwise shows evidence of student having done his or her homework and made serious efforts at writing the paper and in his written work will get a ‘C’ Grade.
These are just guidelines to help you perform better and what the expectations in this course are.
Research paper: The purpose of this assignment is to enable you to read in depth on a topic on Human Rights issue in the world that interests you and raises your concern. It should be 5-6 pages and should examine the history, as well as well the policies, governmental as well as non-governmental in protection and promotion of that right. Please come and see me to discuss the topic in the first two weeks of class. You will need at least 4 sources ( can be more; one book, Two Journal articles and the rest Human Rights websites like HRW or Amnesty.org) This is due Tuesday, July 19, 2012.
Presentation: Students are required to make a Presentation (10-12 minutes) on the topic they are writing on to inform the class of the topic and why it is interesting and relevant to the course. The purpose of this presentation is to give the class in 10-12 minutes a message/or information on a situation on human rights in the world. Your topic should correlate with the topic of the day to be discussed in class. Guidelines for this assignment will be distributed in Class. They can be in any format: visual aids and handouts are welcome additions to enhance oral presentations, but not necessary. Due From the second week of class. You are required to sign up ahead of time.
Who Cares??: Although books are a very important and necessary resource for the study of Human Rights, a number of websites provide valuable, reliable and up-to-date reports on the latest issues on Human Rights around the world. In a 4 page analysis of the reports you will have to compare the content and context of two of the reports listed in your outline. Students will work in groups of two in this report, but submit your own analysis. There will be an in class discussion and presentation of your analysis as groups. Guidelines for the assignment will be handed out in class in time. Due Tuesday, Jul 17,2012.
All assignments have to be typed, double spaced and in 12 point font. Completion of all assignments is necessary to get a passing grade in this course.
Note: Although this syllabus should be treated as final, I reserve the right to add or make changes to the readings, and assignments listed herein.
Course Policies:
1. Rescheduling Examinations: No examinations may be rescheduled. Exceptions will be made only in cases of illness or family emergency, verified in writing by a College physician or dean.
2. Late Papers: Papers submitted between one and five days after the due date will be penalized one full letter grade. Papers submitted six or seven days after the due date will be penalized two full letter grades. Papers submitted more than one week after the due date will not be accepted.
3. Paper Extensions: Extensions of a due date will be granted only when a medical or family emergency warrants it, and when the emergency is properly documented.
4. Copies of Papers: It is your responsibility to keep a copy of any and every paper that you submit. Students unable to produce the requested copy will fail the assignment.
5. Assistance with Papers: Students seeking assistance with rough drafts of their essays should schedule appointments with the instructor. Students should feel free to discuss their ideas for their papers with the professor. Students wishing to discuss their papers with an instructor should already have put substantial thought into their projects.
Others:
7. Every student is required to come and meet the professor in the first two weeks of class to discuss their topics and identify source materials and methodology for their research. Thereafter they are encouraged to come and meet the professor at least twice during the course to discuss the progress of their paper and also in their course. These visits will be documented and will be counted towards the participation grades.
8. Mobile phones and beepers must be switched off at all times during class. Laptops may be used ONLY for taking notes.
11. You may bring food to class, but please restrict yourself to noiseless food and beverages. Food like chips, or chocolate with noisy wrappers are not to be eaten in class.
10. All assignments, exams and group work have to be completed to get a passing grade for this course.
ADA Statement: “If you need course adaptation or accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to talk with me as soon as possible. My office location and hours are above.”
Calendar of Topics, Readings, and Assignments
Week 1
Tues: 26 June: Introduction: Syllabus.
Human Rights Squares handed out.
Human Rights Today: What is a human right? How do you recognize it?
Goodhart, Michael ( ed.). Human Rights: Politics and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Ch.1
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as Keystone :
Film in Class: Universal Declaration
Excerpts from the Charter of the United Nations (BB)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (BB)
Thurs: 28 June: Culture and Ideology: Are Human Rights Universal or Just a Western Concept?
Goodhart, Michael ( ed.). Human Rights: Politics and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009.Ch.1
Human Rights in Theory:
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (BB)
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (BB)
Louis Henkin, The Age of Rights, Preface and Introduction
Human Rights in International Law
Goodhart, Michael ( ed.). Human Rights: Politics and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Ch 2
Measuring Human Rights
Goodhart, Michael ( ed.). Human Rights: Politics and Practice. New York: Oxford University Press, 2009. Ch.3
Week 2
Tues: 3 July: Human Rights Squares are Due. Discussion
Democracy, State Repression and Human rights:
Goodhart, Human Rights: Politics and Practice. OUP, 2009. Ch 8
Stanley A. Kochanek, “South Asia” in Edward A. Kolodziej, A Force Profonde: The Power, Politics and Promise of Human Rights, (Chapter 8, p145-162)
Case Study: Democracy Movement in Burma
Film in Class: Aan Saan Suu Kyi
Global Civil Society
Goodhart, Human Rights: Politics and Practice. OUP, 2009. Ch 9
Indegenous people and HR: Caste, Class and social rights in South Asia
Goodhart, Human Rights: Politics and Practice. OUP, 2009. Ch15
Shashi Tharoor, ‘Scheduled Caste, Unscheduled Change,’ in India from Midnight to the Millennium, pp78-111
Broken people: Caste Violence against India’s Untouchables, Human Rights Watch, pp.23-28, pp29-41, 42-80
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Punishment or Treatment (BB)
Film in Class: The Untouchable
Student Presentation
Thurs: 5 July: Gender Concerns: Women, Trafficking and Rights of the Girl Child
Goodhart, Human Rights: Politics and Practice. OUP, 2009. Ch 12
Rape for profit: Trafficking of Nepali girls and women to India’s brothels, Human Rights Watch, Asia (Excerpts)
Film in Class: Sisters and daughters betrayed the trafficking of women & girls and the fight to end it
No More Little Girls, Elisabeth Bumiller, May you be the mother of a hundred Sons, pp.101-124
Film in class: Chinas Lost Girls
China’s One Child policy implications and impact on China and the World.
Women’s Rights in the public and private sphere:
Convention on the elimination on all forms of discrimination against Women( BB)
Dowry and Bride burning Elizabeth Bumiller, May you be the mother of a hundred Sons, pp.44-74
Honor Killings in Pakistan, in Marorie Agosin, Women Gender and Human Rights: A Global Perspective, pp 75-81
Mainstreaming a concern for the human rights of women: Beyond Theory, in Marorie Agosin, Women Gender and Human Rights: A Global Perspective, pp 98-122
Student Presentations
Week 3
Tues: 10 July: Crimes against Humanity and Genocide
Goodhart, 16
Film in Class: Hotel Rwanda
Thurs: 12 July: Snatching the cradle: Crimes Against Children
Goodhart, Human Rights: Politics and Practice. OUP, 2009. Ch 13
Child soldiers,
Stop the use of Child Soldiers, Human Rights Watch
Sri Lanka: Tamil Tigers Forcibly Recruit Child Soldiers, Human rights watch,
Child Soldiers Global Report, 2004, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Posted on Blackboard.
Film in Class: Ezra
Human Rights and Forced Migration: Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Tibet, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Africa
Goodhart, Ch.14
Michael Hutt, The Bhutanese Refugees: Between Verification,Repatriation and Royal Realpolitik, www.pdsajournal.com
Discussion on Global Crises: Tibet and Myanmar, Afghanistan
Bring recent News articles on Tibet, Myanmar and Afghanistan and its implications on World Affairs.
Is Asia Far Away? Human Rights in China and Korea
Edward Friedman, Northeast China, inEdward A. Kolodziej, A Force Profonde: The Power, Politics and Promise of Human Rights, Ch. 7
Film in Class: Inside North Korea
Student Presentation
Film Reflections Due
Week 4
Tues: 17 July: Who Cares? "The Human Rights Report": Contents and Context
Do a comparative analysis of the contents and context of two of the following reports:
o A Modern Form of Slavery: Trafficking of Burmese Women and Girls into Brothels in Thailand (HRW/Asia Watch and Women's Rights Project).
o Death by Default: A Policy of Fetal Neglect in China's State Orphanages (HRW/Asia). http://www.hrw.org/legacy/summaries/s.china961.html