This course sharpens substantive theoretical and
practical human rights knowledge and the capacity to critically analyze key
human rights issues. The course first recalls influential theoretical
perspectives and the elevation of human rights to a matter of international
legal concern. Second, the course critically examines international, regional
and national human rights norms and institutions to uncover strengths and
weaknesses as well as the role of non-governmental organizations. The
relationship between international frameworks to national human rights
protection and key jurisprudence from the European, Inter-American and African regional
human rights systems are then noted. Finally, the course considers some of the
more urgent human rights issues of our time relating to democracy and the rule
of law, economic, social and cultural rights, women and girls, gender identity,
children, criminal justice, national security and terrorism, the environment,
people on the move, and transitional justice in post-conflict situations.