Theories and Politics of Human Rights

Recommended Prerequisites

The same prerequisites for being accepted in the doctoral program, including English proficiency.

Teaching Methods

The seminar takes place in a system of multi-teaching sessions regime, using the following methodologies:

- combination of expository method with shared exercises of critical and horizontal analysis

- bibliographic and thematic research in paper and digital format

- participation in workshops, conferences and debates

- oral presentation of work and ongoing support via email and weekly in-class support (office hours)

- provision of bibliography and other resources through on-line environments.

Learning Outcomes

The two main objectives of this unit are

1. An in-depth analysis of the debates between traditional and critical theoretical approaches to human rights. This supposes the contextualization of human rights as a western modern cultural product and its use as tool for the globalization of western modernity.

2. The study of the most relevant contemporary strategies of weakening human rights. Two cases will be analyzed: a) the European economic crisis as an expression of the clash between neoliberal agendas and human rights accomplishment; b) the minimalist and exceptionalist nature of the contemporary humanitarian discourse and its replacement of entitlement by assistance.

Students are expected to:

- identify the fundamental theoretical foundations of human rights and understand their different implications

- be able to critically examine intellectual stances about human rights and their development

- assess the historical political impacts of human rights

- develop research skills

- acquire essay writing competency particularly the capability to synthesize and discuss different points of view as well as to critically present new arguments.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Human rights as a modern western cultural and political product

Modernity, imperialism and human rights: Sepúlveda, Vitória and Las Casas then and now

A roadmap of the traditional theoretical debate on the foundation of human rights

Human rights and International Relations theories: realism, liberalism and constructivism

The European approach to a policy of human rights

The European welfare model in crisis: a case study of human rights strengths and weaknesses

Beyond the liberal-legalist tradition: the critique of abstract humanism and its impact in the discourse on human rights

Critical perspectives on human rights (1): the feminist perspective

Critical perspectives on human rights (2): the socialist and the post-colonial perspective

From philosophy to power politics (1): narratives and strategies on human rights during the cold war

From philosophy to power politics (2): human rights and global liberalism hegemony after the end of the cold war

From human rights to humanitarianism

The human right to water: a case study of interplay between ethics, law and politics

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Cristina Alvarez Caiano da Silva Santos

Assessment Methods

Continuous
Regular attendance of sessions: 20.0%
Paper submission: 40.0%
Oral presentation: 40.0%

Bibliography

Albuquerque, C. e Roaf, V. 2012. On the right track. Good practices in realising the rights to water and sanitation. Lisboa: ERSAR.

Chandler, D. 2002. Rethinking human rights. Critical approaches to international politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Dickinson, R. et al. 2012. Examining critical perspectives on human rights. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Douzinas, C. 2000. The end of human rights. Portland: Hart.

Herrera Flores, J. 2005. Los derechos humanos como produtos culturales. Crítica del humanismo abstracto. Madrid: Los Libros de la Catarata.