HUMR 505 Protecting Human Rights: Civil Society, State, and International Actors and Institutions

This course delineates the functions of civil society (including the church), government, and international actors and institutions when it comes to protecting human rights and enforcing compliance with human rights standards. Case studies are used to illustrate the comparative advantages of various actors and institutions in addressing human rights issues and violations, as well as the strategies these actors and institutions can employ to harness their own relative strengths in the context of human rights. Special emphasis is given to exploring the reach and limits of human rights campaigning and advocacy. 

The course introduces the subject of human rights from the perspective of institutional actors, issues, and civil society. These in turn overlap with essential areas of international relations, diplomacy, humanitarian development, domestic politics, public discourse, and religious life.   

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 400-500 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 250-300 words. Each thread must be supported with at least 2 scholarly citations and each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation.

Essay Assignments (3)

The student will write a 5-7-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the UN, HR’s origins, and civil society. At least 7 sources must be used and may include the course text, Bible, and scholarly articles.

The student will write a 5-7-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the UN, HR’s origins, and civil society. At least 7 sources must be used and may include the course text, Bible, and scholarly articles.

The student will write a 5-7-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on the UN, HR’s origins, and civil society. At least 7 sources must be used and may include the course text, Bible, and scholarly articles.