Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies programme.
The number of participants is limited to 25.
Description
This course investigates the conceptions, practices and institutions of human rights at the global level. We explore the historical processes and practices of state and non-state actors that correspond with the emergence of human rights as a global concern and their contemporary relevance in global politics. Focusing on paradigmatic cases, we seek to identify the ways in which assorted actors have used human rights norms and institutions in pursuit of often contradictory, and sometimes antithetical, goals, and assess the normative exemplarity of these practices for the meaning and force of human rights in time and space. A core empirical and philosophical problem that will be at the heart of our discussion is whether and to what extent human rights practices have contributed towards the emancipation of disempowered groups or the justification of domination over them. Our approach is threefold. First, we examine the reasons that different actors have given for associating their action or inaction with human rights norms or institutions. Second, we consider the instruments and strategies that actors have relied on to either support or prevent specific developments with regard to the expansion of the remit of human rights, or the design and operation of global human rights institutions. Finally, we assess whether and to what extent the growing centrality of the discourse, norms and institutions of human rights at the global level has changed the behaviour of powerful state and non-state actors in favour of the disadvantaged.
Course objectives
The Electives for International Studies are designed to teach students how to deal with state-of-the-art literature and research questions. They are chosen to enhance the students’ learning experience by building on the multidisciplinary perspectives they have developed so far, and to introduce them to the art of academic research. They are characterised by an international or comparative approach.
Academic skills that are trained include:
Oral and written presentation skills:
1. To explain clear and substantiated research results.
2. To provide an answer to questions concerning (a subject) in the field covered by the course:
in the form of a clear and well-structured oral presentation;
in agreement with the appropriate disciplinary criteria;
using up-to-date presentation techniques;
using relevant illustration or multimedia techniques;
aimed at a specific audience.
3. To actively participate in a discussion following the presentation.
Collaboration skills:
1. To be socio-communicative in collaborative situations.
2. To provide and receive constructive criticism, and incorporate justified criticism by revising one’s own position.
3. To adhere to agreed schedules and priorities.
Basic research skills, including heuristic skills:
1. To collect and select academic literature using traditional and digital methods and techniques.
2. To analyze and assess this literature with regard to quality and reliability.
3. To formulate on this basis a sound research question.
4. To design under supervision a research plan of limited scope, and implement it using the methods and techniques that are appropriate within the discipline involved.
5. To formulate a substantiated conclusion.
Timetable
The timetable is available on the BA International Studies website.
Mode of instruction
Seminars
Seminars are held every week, with the exception of the Midterm Exam week. This includes supervised research.
Course Load
Total course load for this course is 10 EC (1 EC = 28 hours), which equals 280 hours, broken down by:
Attending seminars (2 hours per week x 12): 24 hours
Reading literature and preparing assignments: 130 hours
Oral presentation and writing the final research essay: 126 hours
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Assignments and in-class participation | 40% |
| Oral presentation | 10% |
| Final Research Essay (5,000 words) | 50% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note that the End Grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of all assessment components.
Resit
Students who have been active participants in class and submitted the Final Essay on time, but scored an overall insufficient mark, are entitled to a resit. For the resit, students are given a chance to hand in a new version of the Final Essay.
In case of resubmission of the Final Essay (insufficient grade only) the final grade for the Essay will be lowered as a consequence of the longer process of completion. The deadline for resubmission is 10 working days after receiving the grade for the Final Essay.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2018 – 2019.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for the seminars. Students are requested to enroll on Blackboard, but only after correct enrolment in uSis.
Reading list
The required readings will be announced on Blackboard before the start of the course.
Registration
Registration occurs via survey only. Registration opens 3 December:
1) On 3 December you will receive a message with a link to the survey.
2) Indicate there which are your 5 preferred Electives, in order of preference.
3) Based on preferences indicated by 16 December the Electives Coordinator will assign you to one specific Elective by 15 January.
4) Students will then be enrolled for the specific groups by the Administration Office.
5) All students are required to enroll for their group in Blackboard to access all course information.
Students cannot register in uSis for the Elective, or be allowed into an Elective in any other way.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
When contacting your lecturers, please include your full name, student number, and tutorial group number.
Remarks
The deadline for submission of the Final Essay is 14 June 2019.