Introduction to Human Rights

Often we talk about human rights as the right or freedom for someone to do certain things—such as the right to speak freely or the right to practice the religion of your choice. We also often talk about human rights as the right for someone to be free from certain things—such as the freedom from arbitrary arrest or freedom from torture. In this course, we will explore questions such as these: What are human rights and where do they come from? Are human rights limitless, and if not, what are the limits and who decides? How are human rights enforced and when they are violated, and how are perpetrators punished? Students will explore the principle that human rights are a right or an entitlement to receive certain things—such as the right to healthcare or the right to education. In examining the most pressing headline issues of today, such as genocide, human migration, climate change, and student protest, this course will introduce students to the law, philosophy, and practice of human rights.

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