The course begins with foundational philosophical perspectives from thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill, and Richard Rorty tracing the development of the concept of human rights in both Western and non-Western traditions. We will discuss influential theories, including natural rights theory, social contract theory, and utilitarianism, to understand how different schools of thought have justified the existence and scope of rights. We will also consider critiques of universalism, focusing on the arguments that human rights may be culturally relative or reflect Western ideological biases.

Key topics include the distinction between negative and positive rights, the debate between individual rights and collective responsibilities, and the relationship between human rights and concepts such as dignity, autonomy, and freedom. We will examine practical applications and tensions within human rights discourse, including the challenges posed by globalization, nationalism, and multiculturalism, as well as the role of human rights in addressing issues such as poverty, environmental justice, and refugee crises.

This course is ideal for students interested in philosophy, ethics, political science, law, and international relations. It will equip them with analytical tools to critically assess and engage in ongoing debates surrounding human rights. By the end of the course, students will have the vocabulary and conceptual grounding to tackle questions such as: Can human rights be justified across cultural boundaries? Are there rights that should apply to all humans, regardless of context? And what is the future of human rights in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world?