HIS 3782 - History of Human Rights

Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): ENG 1009 or ENG 1010 or equivalent with a grade of D or better, and any course with HIS prefix or that is crosslisted with HIS prefix, or permission of instructor

Description: This course contextualizes our moral choices as part of a longer story of humanity. We explore the topic of human rights as both an intellectual history and as praxis. The course begins with the debate over the origins of human rights as a concept and a movement. Then it examines the evolution of “inalienable rights,” the parallel rise of democracy and entrenchment of slavery, the growth of humanitarian movements since the 19th century, and the challenges of the 20th century for the international human rights movement.

Note: Some sections of this course may be taught as Service Learning.