MODULE SPECIFICATION
Code: UPPNHB-30-2 Title: Human Rights and International Order Version: 6
Level: 2 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15
Module type: Standard
Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: Politics
Faculty Committee approval: QSC Date:
Approved for Delivery by: ( indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them)
Valid from: September 2009 Discontinued from:
Contributes towards: Awards up to BA (Hons)
Pre-requisites: UPPNFA-30-1 Democracy and Dictatorship or
UPPNFB-30-1 Politics Beyond the Nation state or
UPPNFC-30-1 Politics and the Media: An Introduction or equivalent
Co-requisites: None
Entry requirements:
(If the module is offered as CPD or stand alone, indicate the entry requirements)
Excluded combinations: None
Learning outcomes:
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
1. Analyse the normative concept of Human Rights and the use of the concept in the international arena (components A & B).
2. Understand the role of Human Rights (normative and legal) in global political studies (component B, element 2).
3. Comprehend, compare and assess the major perspectives on Human Rights in traditions of international political thought (components A & B element 1).
4. Apply a range of analytical perspectives to problems of Human Rights and global governance (components A & B).
Syllabus outline:
• PART 1 Different aspects of international recognition of Human Rights: This first section of the module addresses philosophical issues of the nature, substance, and source of human rights; the place of human rights in the contemporary international society of states; and the theoretical challenges posed to the enterprise of international human rights policy by arguments of radical cultural relativism and political realism (realpolitik or "power politics")”.
• PART 2 Human Rights as an issue of international concern. The second section unites the theoretical approaches and debates above with the emergence of International Human Rights Norms from the period of monitoring (1960 – 70s) to setting standards of institutionalisation(1980s) to the present dilemmas of further growth in pluralism (continuity and change). This section looks into the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the establishment of the UN Commission on Human Rights, Treaty Systems, Regional Human Rights Regimes; Multilateral Human Rights mechanisms; explaining differences in International Human Rights Policies.
• PART 3 Analysing International Action. At this stage of the module case studies will be used to assess various international responses to Human Rights violations. Focus will be on responses to: Tiananmen Square; so-called Asian Values; Latin America and US Human Rights Policy; Genocide and War in Rwanda; Genocide and War in Yugoslavia; and the ‘War on Terrorism’.
• PART 4 Contemporary issues. The last part of the module focuses on a series of problems in Human Rights Regimes such as ideology and intervention; sovereignty, power and interdependence; democracy and Human Rights; markets and Human Rights; Human Rights policies and the ‘New World Order’.
Teaching and learning methods:
The course is developed as a series of lectures (1 hour a week) and a 1 hour seminar, which will allow students the opportunity to analyse and focus on the various issues in depth. This format should maintain the students’ interests in the topic and fundamental debates. The assessments are essays of 2500 words on approaches to human rights and the implementation of specific rights.
Reading strategy:
Students will be encouraged to buy one text-book which will cover much of the material. This book will also be available in short-loan at both St Matthias and Frenchay libraries.
Students will be encouraged to read widely using the library catalogue, a variety of bibliographic and full text databases, and Internet resources. Guidance to a wide range of key references available through the Library will be given in the module handbook which will also be available on UWEonline. It is expected that assignment bibliographies will reflect the range of reading carried out.
Indicative Reading List:
The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.
This is only representative of readings available
Baer PR (2001), The Role of Human Rights in Foreign Policy Oxford: OUP
Donnelly J (1999), Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice Cambridge: CUP
Falk R (2009), Achieving Human Rights, London and New York: Routledge
Forsythe D (2000), Human Rights in International Relations Cambridge: CUP
Human Rights Watch (2009), World Report Seven Stories Press
Risse T et al. (eds) (1989), The Power of Human Rights, Cambridge: CUP
Ssenyonjo M (2009), Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in International Law Hart
Smith R and van den Anker C (eds) (2005), The Essentials of Human Rights, London: Hodder
Stammers N. (2009), Human Rights and Social Movements, London: Zed Books
Vincent R J (2000), Human Rights and International Politics, Cambridge: CUP
Journals: Foreign Affairs; Global Society; Daedalus; Ethics and International Affairs; International Organisation; International Studies Quarterly; Journal of Global Ethics; Human Rights Quarterly; Millennium; Review of International Studies; Review of International Political Economy; World Politics
Assessment
Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 30% B: 70%
ATTEMPT 1
First Assessment Opportunity
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 3 hour unseen Examination Final element of assessment 30%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Essay 2500 words 30%
2. Essay 2500 words 40%
Second Assessment Opportunity (Resit) (further attendance at taught classes is not required)
Component A
Description of each element Element weighting
1. 3 hour unseen Examination 30%
Component B
Description of each element Element weighting
1. Essay 5000 words 70%
EXCEPTIONAL SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.
Specification confirmed by ………………Date …………..………
Associate Dean/Programme Director