LLAW3083
Human rights: history, theory and politics (6 credits)
This course will consider the evolution of concepts of human rights from historical, political, theoretical and philosophical perspectives. The Western traditions of human rights and the challenges to them will be examined. The issue of universal standards and cultural relativism and the political economy of human rights will also be examined, including the challenge to the dominant Western paradigms by the proponents of Asian values in interpreting and implementing human rights. Theoretical and practical questions relating to violations of human rights by non-State actors will also be considered, as will the impact of globalisation on the enjoyment of human rights. Feminist challenges to the dominant models and practice of human rights will also be examined.