HUMAN RIGHTS

POLI447

Course Code: POLI447
Semester: -
Theory+Practice: 3 + 0
ECTS: 5

Course Type

Elective Course

Course Level

Bachelor's Degree

Year of Study

Semester

ECTS

Name of Lecturer(s)

Instructor Ahmet Zeki Bulunç

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the students;

Explain the theological, philosophical, and legal foundations of human rights.
Identify the major transformations in the idea of rights across history.
Analyze contemporary human rights regimes within geopolitical and ideological contexts.
Critically evaluate human rights discourse through various theoretical lenses.
Explore alternative moral and political frameworks for justice and dignity.

Mode of Delivery

Face to face

Prerequisites

Recommended Optional Programme Components

No recommended optional programme components.

Course Description

This course offers an interdisciplinary introduction to the idea of human rights, tracing their evolution from theological foundations to their current status in international law and global politics. Emphasis will be placed on the philosophical, legal, and political dimensions of rights, as well as on major critiques from Marxist, feminist, postcolonial, and decolonial perspectives. Through historical analysis and conceptual reflection, the course encourages students to critically evaluate the promises and contradictions of the global human rights discourse. The final sessions will explore alternative visions of human dignity, justice, and responsibility beyond liberal legalism.

Course Contents

WEEK	TOPICS
1^st Week	Introduction
2^nd Week	Human Rights as a Modern Faith
3^rd Week	Theological Foundations of Human Dignity
4^th Week	Natural Law and the Birth of Modern Rights
5^th Week	Enlightenment and Secular Morality
6^th Week	Legal Positivism and Nation-State Sovereignty
7^th Week	Midterm Exam
8^th Week	Universal Declaration and Cold War Rights
9^th Week	Human Rights and Empire I
10^th Week	Human Rights and Empire II
11^th Week	Critiques of Human Rights I
12^th Week	Critiques of Human Rights II
13^th Week	Beyond Rights Dignity, Responsibility, and Plural Ethics
14^th Week	Student Presentations

Recommended or Required Reading

Primary Source:
Custom Reader (provided by the instructor based on course book draft: Human Rights: From
Sacred Origins to Imperial Instrument)
Supplementary Readings (provided as soft copies):
David Miller, Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, New
York: 2003.
Andrew Clapham, Human Rights: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford:
2016.
Peter Benenson, ''The Forgotten Prisoners'', May 28, 1961, in The Observer Weekend Review.
Ghanea, Stephens, Walden (eds.), Does God Believe in Human Rights?, Martinus Nijhoff
Publishers, Leiden, 2007.

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Lecture
Discussion
Questions/Answers

Assessment Methods and Criteria

	Quantity	Percentage (%)
Mid-term	1	40
Assignment	2	10
Total(%)		50
Contribution of In-term Studies to Overall Grade(%)		50
Contribution of Final Examination to Overall Grade(%)		50
Total(%)		100

ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload

Activities	Quantity	Duration (Hour)	Total Workload (Hour)
Midterm exam	1	1	1
Preparation for Quiz
Individual or group work	14	2	28
Preparation for Final exam	1	35	35
Course hours	14	3	42
Preparation for Midterm exam	1	30	30
Laboratory (including preparation)
Final exam	1	1	1
Homework	1	15	15
Total Work Load			152
Total Work Load / 30 (h)			5.06
ECTS Credit of the Course			5

Language of Instruction

English

Work Placement(s)

Programme Qualifications / Learning Outcomes

	LO1	LO2	LO3	LO4	LO5
K1
K2
K3
K4
K5	X	X	X
K6	X	X	X
K7
K8	X
K9
K10
K11	X	X	X
K12
K13