Human Rights undergraduate syllabus

PSC 430: Human Rights Fall 2014 tuesday/thursday 12:30PM-1:50PM Talbert 115 PAULA LAZATIN, KERRY MCPHEE Undergraduate TA [email protected] [email protected] Office Hours: Consultation by appointment only DR. CLAUDE WELCH Professor [email protected] (716) 645-8434 Office Hours: Tuesdays 2:30-4:30PM and by appt. 417 Park Hall Mumo NZAU Graduate TA [email protected] Office Hours: Wednesdays 12:00-1:00PM 415 Park Hall [email protected] Brief Course Description This course examines the development, primarily since World War II, of international systems for the promotion and protection of human rights. We will explore international law and treaties, the roles of NGOs, and specific human rights issues globally through case studies. Note: In-depth course philosophy and objectives can be found on UBLearns, under Course Documents.. Course Requirements readings:    The following required texts must be purchased at the University Bookstore or via the internet: The Global Struggle for Human Rights by Debra L. DeLaet (ISBN: 978-0-534-63572-5), First Edition (ISBN: 978-1-285-46260-8), Second Edition Note: Both editions are acceptable and page numbers for both are listed in the schedule. Activists beyond Borders by Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink (ISBN: 978-0-8014-8456-8) These will appear as DeLaet and K&S in the readings section. Additional material has been placed on reserve, through UBLearns (see the folder on Readings) and through the Undergraduate Library. You can access the Library Reserve system electronically on the UB Libraries’ website under “Reserve, PSC 430”. In addition, some required readings may be reached through the URL’s in this syllabus. If you cannot find any required reading please in either of these locations, please check with the TA. Specific readings appear in conjunction with individual lectures (see below). Please note that some readings are lengthy and/or complex. You will need to examine them carefully, perusing them at least twice.  writing: Media Reports will be due every fourth class starting on September 9th. For these you must submit a one-page, double-spaced summary and commentary on a significant human rights issue, mention of which has appeared in a major news source (e.g. the BBC, New York Times, The Guardian). These assignments must be submitted via UBLearns, using the SafeAssign option. Go to Assignments. A separate folder has been provided for each. These periodic media reports count for 25% of your final grade. Additionally, a brief 4-5 page Term Report on a randomly selected topic will be due on November 13th. This counts for 20% of your final grade. Details regarding this will be given on UBLearns, as well as in the course supplement. The Term Report must also be submitted via UBLearns, using the SafeAssign option. Testing: Extended quizzes will be given every fourth class starting on September 4th. Additional quiz dates can be found in the semester schedule. The Final Exam will occur on December 2nd. These two components combined count for 35% of your grade. IN-Class debates: During the semester, some debates will be held on major policy issues. Topics will be posted at least one week in advance, and the positions to be advocated (or rebutted) specified. You are free to choose the position you wish to take and the persons whom you want to join (subject to a minimum number of participants in each group). Each member of the class must participate at least once; this counts for 10% of your grade. See separate statement on the website for specifics. Glossary: A list of terms has been posted on UBLearns, under Course Documents. Reference will be made to them during the semester. You are responsible for learning and defining these terms as they will appear in subsequent lectures, quizzes, and readings. Grading Policy The breakdown of grading for this class consists of the following: Participation 10% Media Reports (every fourth class) 25% Quizzes (every fourth class) 25% In-class Debates 10% Term Report 20% Final Exam 10% Extra Credit: This will be granted to students who make significant contributions to the class. These include PowerPoint presentations on a certain topic, relevant media files and suggestions, and academic references regarding points that come up in lecture. Additionally, attending specific UB events like International Education Week is also a good way to earn extra points. Semester Schedule part I: Foundations of Human Rights and Specific Abuses DATE LECTURE TOPIC READINGS IMPORTANT DATES August 26 Introduction None August 28 Roots of human rights DeLaet Ch. 2 (1st: 25-43) (2nd: 26-44); Welch, “The Universal Declaration at Sixty”; Weston “Universality of Human Rights” September 2 Contested Meanings DeLaet Ch. 1 (1st: 10-24)(2nd: 11-25); Kausikan, “Asia’s Different Standard” Last day to add/drop September 4 Human Rights in the United States DeLaet, Ch. 9 (1st: 159-185)(2nd: 159-187); Government of China, “Human Rights Record of the U.S.”; Simpson “Nuremberg and Tokyo Trials”; and Liptak, “Inmate Count in US”, “U.S. Court is now Guiding Fewer Nations”, “U.S. is Alone,” and “Rendering Justice”; and Walt, “Myth of American Exceptionalism.” Note: These articles will be used as well in subsequent lectures on the particular topics. Quiz #1 September 9 Basic Rights: Food and Water DeLaet, Ch. 6 (Both: 102-118); Orend ‘Justifying Socioeconomic Rights’; World Health Organization, ‘Right to Water’ (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/-humanrights/en/index2.html). Media Report #1 September 11 Civil and Political Rights; Collective Rights DeLaet, Ch. 4 (1st: 62-77)(2nd: 63-77); DeLaet, Ch. 5 (1st: 78-101)(2nd: 79-100); Bales, “Disposable People”; “The Death penalty in decline” http://theweek.com/article/index/220497/the-death-penalty-in-decline) Debate #1 September 16 Genocide DesForges, “Ideology of Genocide”; “Genocide” [Wikipedia -- skim]; Stanton, “8 Stages of Genocide” September 18 Women’s Rights DeLaet, Ch. 7 (1st: 119-134)(2nd: 118-132); K&S, Ch. 5 (165-198) Quiz #2 September 23 Children’s Rights and Child Soldiers Felton, “Child Soldiers”; Singer, “Children at War” Media Report #2 September 25 Torture Wikipedia, “Torture” Debate #2 September 30 Slavery and Trafficking Bales, “Disposable People”; Masci, “Human Trafficking and Slavery” October 2 Refugees Felton, “Refugees”; Wikipedia, “Refugees,” Schuster, “What Would It Be Like If You Were A Refugee?” (http://thoughtcatalog.com/lynda-schuster/2014/07/what-would-it-be-like-if-you-were-a-refugee/) Quiz #3 October 7 Promotion and Protection DeLaet, Ch. 8 (1st: 135-158)(2nd: 133-158); K&S, Introduction (8-29) Media Report #3 part II: International, regional, and National Perspectives on HUMAN RIGHTS October 9 Case study: Southeast Asia Asian Human Rights Commission, “Bad Policing Systems as a Major Threat”; “Myanmar: The limitation of the global human rights movement” Debate #3 October 14 Continue Southeast Asia/ Introduce India Narula, “Untouchability”; Bob “Dalit Rights are Human Rights”; US State Department, “India 2013”; suggestions to come from Nina” October 16 Finish India Quiz #4 October 21 Case study: China US State Department, “China 2013”; suggestions to come from Nina C Media Report #4 October 23 Case study: Middle East Eltahawy, “Why do they hate us?”; Fisher, “Real Roots of Sexism”; Mowafi, “Conflict, displacement and health in the Middle East” Debate #4 October 28 Finish Middle East “Rights abuses extend across Middle East” (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/09/world/-middleeast/09rights.html;); “Human rights in Iran” (http://www.amnesty.org/en/-region/-iran/report-2012) ; “Background on the Gaza Strip” (http://www.btselem.-org/gaza_strip); and ACRI, “Human rights in West Bank,” (http://www.haaretz.com/-misc/article-print-page/human-rights-report-west-bank-situation-reminiscent-of-apartheid-regime-in-south-africa-1.259009?trailingPath=2.169%2C2.216%2C) October 30 Case study: Africa K&S, Historical Precursors (66-78); Welch, ‘Education and long-term change’; “Movement to End Genital Cutting”(http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/world/africa/movement-to-end-genital-cutting-spreads-in-senegal.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha22&pagewanted=print); US State Department, “Nigeria 2013” Quiz #5 November 4 Case study: Latin America K&S, Ch. 3 (79-120), Review Introduction (8-29); US State Department, “Brazil 2013:; NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/24/world/americas/wave-of-violence-swallows-more-women-in-juarez-mexico.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0) FINAL MEDIA REPORT #5 November 6 Case study: Russia US Department of State, “Russia 2013”; “Russia overview Freedom House 2014” (http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/russia-0#.U_RGNGOz4YI) Debate #5 November 11 Finish Russia part III: resolving humAn rights issues: institutions and ngos November 13 LGBT Persons, Individuals with Disabilities, etc. “Gay couple in Malawi get maximum sentence,”(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/world/africa/21malawi.html); Economist, “A well-locked closet”(http://www.economist.com/node/16219402); Convention on the Rights of persons with disabilities (http:/compa/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/-Convention_on_the_Rights_of_Persons_with_Disabilities) TERM REPORT DUE November 18 Human Rights NGOs and Networks, The giant NGOs: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch DeLaet, Ch.11(Both: 204-219); Anonymous, “The Compass Fails”; Baehr, “Amnesty International”; Welch, “Human Rights Watch”; Winston, “Assessing the Effectiveness of INGOs” November 20 Looking toward the future Baehr, “Controversies in the Current Human Rights Debate”; NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/business/sisters-of-st-francis-the-quiet-shareholder-activists.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25); Robertson, “Twenty-first Century Blues” November 25 Various Topics Reserved for Student Presentations November 27 NO CLASS THANKSGIVING BREAK December 2 FINAL EXAM December 4 Various Topics Reserved for Student Presentations Be the change you want to see And, finally, there are several opportunities to help our global community and become engaged citizens of the world. Below is a list of suggested organizations, those at the right at no cost to you and those at the left with lots of information and the chance to make minimal monetary donations, which are available online. Keep in mind, local Western NY charities, foundations and organizations are also eager for young, brilliant members of our community to be involved. These suggestions are entirely up to one’s own discretion and have no influence on the course grade. http://hrw.org (Human Rights Watch) http://amnesty.org (Amnesty International) www.doctorswithoutborders.org www.redcross.org (International Red Cross) www.oxfam.org http://www.halftheskymovement.org/ www.thebreastcancersite.com www.thehungersite.com www.freerice.org www.thechildhealthsite.com Your ideas and suggestions? Department of Political Science at the University at Buffalo, SUNY https://www.facebook.com/PoliticalScienceDepartmentSunyBuffalo http://www.polsci.buffalo.edu/ PSC 430: Human Rights Page | 6