This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Translations*

Calendar

SES # TOPICS KEY DATES
PART I: Introduction to the Idea and Framework
1 Course Introduction and Organizational Details
2 What are Human Rights? History and Character of the Rights Discourse
3 Key Conceptual Debates: Cultural Relativism Versus Universality, Relativity of Rights, Liberal Origins, Culture-Sovereignty and Domestic Jurisdiction
4 The Framework of Rights and Criticisms of Their Current Relevance
5 Sovereignty and Self-determination
6 Battle of Algiers Movie and Discussion of Self-determination (cont.)
7 Divisions Between the West and the Rest and the Consequences for Human Rights
8 American Exceptionalism
9 The Torture Debate: Example of American Exceptionalism?
PART II: Root Causes of Human Rights Violations
10 The Push for Democracy and Democratization
11 Economic Development and Poverty Mid-term assignment handed out
12 Life and Debt Movie and Discussion Mid-term assignment due
13 Gender and Sexual Minorities
14 Ethnic and Racial Violence and Group Rights: Mass Violence I
15 Religious Violence and Millenarianism: Mass Violence II
PART III: Responses to Human Rights Violations
16 Forcible Responses: Intervention and Sovereignty
17 Domestic Courts
18 Transnational/International Judicial Enforcement
19 Other International Mechanisms
20 Civil Society - NGOs and Social Movements
PART IV: Dilemmas in Theory and Practice: Selected Current Examples
21 The Problem of Remedies: Accountability for Atrocities
22 Globalization and Labor Rights
23 Science, Technology and Human Rights
24 Concluding Class: Sum Up Final paper due (graduate)

Final exam (undergraduate)