Postgraduate CUR-CHRE501-2018

Human Rights Theory and Philosophy

Unpack human rights and what the term has meant at different times in history. Manoeuvre your way through various human rights theories including universalism and socialisation. Address philosophical queries about what we mean by human rights.

Student rating

N/A

Study method

100% online

Available loans

FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Not required

Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, our online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.

University ranking

2018

Subject details

What you'll learn

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

describe and critique human rights theories and philosophies
use appropriate technologies to locate and critically appraise relevant human rights literature
analyse and communicate human rights theories and philosophies
critically analyse political, policy and moral issues using a human rights framework
demonstrate an understanding of plagiarism, paraphrasing and the principles of Academic Integrity.

Topics covered

Topics
- What do we mean by human rights?
- Modern perspectives on human rights - part one
- Modern perspectives on human rights - part two
- Constructing human rights: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Human rights and the cultural relativist critique
- Human rights and the postmodern and postcolonial critiques
- The feminist critique and rights in the private domain
- Human rights norms, regimes and socialisation
- Human rights and the ethics of the use of force
- Sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights
- Human rights and disability
- Human rights and the environment
Study resources
- Instructional Methods
  - Disscusion forum/Discussion Board
  - Online assignment submission
  - Podcasting/Leacture capture
  - Streaming Multimedia
  - Web links

Entry requirements

In order to enrol in this subject, you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:

Core

CUR-HRI-MAS-2018
CUR-HRI-GCE-2018

Elective

OUA-PSU-GCE-2018

Special requirements

EquipmentDetails - Audio/Visual equipment

Description

This subject questions what is meant by human rights, and examines the foundations of conventional human rights discourse in western philosophy. It also examines the development of the post-Holocaust human rights tradition, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and some contemporary rights perspectives including human rights norms, regimes and socialisation theories. Critiques of universalism are also explored from the cultural relativist, postmodern and feminist perspectives.

Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.

Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.

Assessments

Discussion Points - Part One (30%)
Essay (30%)
Discussion Points - Part Two (40%)

Textbooks

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related Degrees

postgraduate OUA-PSU-GCE-2018

Postgraduate Single Subjects