Detailed Information
AE-BN213 - Understanding Human Rights
This course will provide people who are new to human rights with a basic understanding of the theories and practices of human rights. It will explain the differences between different types of rights, civil and political and economic and social rights and the characteristics of rights as being inalienable and universal. It will examine the history of rights and how the concept of rights developed in different historical periods. It will provide participants with a basic understanding of human rights law both the International system at the United Nations and the regional human rights systems in Europe, America and Africa. It will examine some of the critiques of human rights thinking, Edmund Burke, Marx and feminist critiques. It will look at some contemporary issues in human rights, Islam and how it relates to human rights thinking as well as examining the rise of IS and radical jihadism. It will examine human rights in South Africa, the fall of apartheid and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It will look at human rights issues in Ireland and give students an opportunity to make presentations on issues in human rights of interest to them.
| Tutor | Dates | Schedule | Time | Venue/Location | Fee € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Purcell | 30 Jan 2018 to 20 Mar 2018 | Sessions: 8 8 Tuesdays, 7.00pm-9.00pm Jan 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 13, 20 |
19:00 | Belfield | 160.00 |
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8 Tuesdays 7.00pm-9.00pm
Jan 30, Feb 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar 6, 13, 20
- Outline what is generally meant by human rights, the different types of rights, liberty rights, claim rights, powers and immunities, the differences between civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights and solidarity rights and characteristics of rights as universal indivisible and inalienable.
- Explain International Law and the role of the individual within that law including the United Nations Charter, the Declaration on Human Rights and the Conventions which have been developed to strengthen Human Rights in International Law.
- Explain the Regional systems of human rights in Europe, Africa and the Americas.
- Discuss the history of rights within the context of Western philosophy.
- Evaluate different contemporary human rights issues, the Middle East, South Africa, Ireland.
- What do we mean by Human Rights
- History and Philosophical roots of Human Rights
- Human Rights and International Law - United Nations
- Human Rights in Europe, America and Africa - Regional Systems
- Critiques of Rights theory
- Rights in Islam and Palestine
- Human Rights in South Africa
- Case study of human rights violations in Ireland & conclusions
This is a basic introduction to human rights so does not require any previous knowledge of human rights. Aimed at anyone with an interest in learning about the subject
Core texts
*United nations Human Rights Commission , European Commission on Human Rights, Amnesty International websites
*Ishay, M (2007) The Human Rights Reader
*Donnelly J (2003) Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice (Cornell University Pre
Justice Albie Sachs' keynote address at the 2014 PILA Conference)
A more detailed reading list will be provided on the course
Mary Purcell holds an MA in political philosophy from UCD. She has over 25 years experience in overseas development and human rights with both governmental and non-governmental organisations. She currently works as a Consultant with Development and Human Rights organisations.