Human Rights in a Changing World
This course covers concepts and theories related to recent political and intellectual challenges to human rights regimes and liberal democracy in a national context.
The historical context for this course is the so-called wave of new-authoritarianism in various countries that has expressed itself through various forms of populism and nationalism in recent decades.
After the fall of the Iron Wall in 1989 the American writer and political scientist Francis Fukuyama coined the phrase ”The End of History” which expressed the conviction that liberal democracy had become the only viable and reasonable political alternative around the world. For several years this statement also seemed to be reasonable with the fall of several dictatorships and authoritarian regimes around the world. However, in recent years the world has seen a backlash for liberal democracy in more or less violent forms. These political changes evoke questions concerning the prerequisities for and the critical challenges to liberal democracy.
The course adress in this regard different theories and explanations with reference to ”the new authoritarianism” from an interdisciplinary perspective.
The legal context is the terms and strategies of human rights law. The course provides specialisation in a set of relevant and contemporary issues related to human rights law in national contexts. Relevant examples may be the use of states of emergency, media and freedom of expression, migration or the role of civil society. It may also involve novel and modern approaches to human rights law, such as critical perspectives.
This course is provided in collaboration with the Faculty of Law and with the participation of experts from several departments and universities.
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Course structure
The course consists of one module, 7.5 ECTS.
Teaching format
The instruction is in the form of lectures and seminars.
Attendance on all instruction is compulsory.
Teaching will be conducted in English.
For more detailed information please refer to the course description.
Assessment
The course is examined on the basis of a written essay assignment.
The examination will be in English.
For more detailed information, please refer to the course description.
Examiner
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course. -
Course reports
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Contact
Do you have questions about the courses in Middle Eastern Lanugages and Cultures?
Student Councelor:
exp.asien@su.seDirector of Studies:
Martin Säfström
Telefon: 08-16 29 43
