IR241 HUMAN RIGHTS HISTORY
| Course Code: | 3140241 |
| METU Credit (Theoretical-Laboratory hours/week): | 3 (3.00 - 0.00) |
| ECTS Credit: | 6.0 |
| Department: | International Relations |
| Language of Instruction: | English |
| Level of Study: | Undergraduate |
| Course Coordinator: | |
| Offered Semester: | Fall and Spring Semesters. |
Course Objectives
Against a perception that human rights as a set of ideas, and social and political demands have emerged following the end of World War II, this course aims to demonstrate that there is a historical background to the emergence of human rights in the 20th century. Thus, it introduces students to major historical events, civilizations, and traditions of thought that have contributed to the development of rights, individual protection, limited government, and social welfare programs. At the end of the semester, students will be able to understand the roots of human rights and will familiarize themselves with such contemporary debates as universalism vs. particularism, civil and political rights vs. economic and social rights, and non-intervention vs. humanitarian intervention. In general, this course will enable students to relate contemporary human rights issues and institutions to their ideational roots.
Course Content
This course is about the origins of human rights. It traces the roots of universal human rights as formulated by the
covenants and conventions of the 20th century in different ideas, cultures, and civilizations. While underlining the
plurality of human experience, and particularities of different ideas, cultures, and civilizations this course explains how
these all eventually culminated in internationally recognized UN documents on human rights. In so doing, this course
explores the idea of rights, individual protection, liberty, and social welfare in the ancient world, major religious
traditions, and the enlightenment and industrial revolution. The emergence of civil and political rights, economic and
social rights, and the right to self-determination are explored in a historical context. The origins of humanitarian
intervention in the just war theory and the emergence of humanitarian law with regard to slavery and warfare are also
covered. This course is concluded with a general evaluation of how different historical experiences, traditions, and
ideas have contributed to the contemporary approaches, institutions, and practice of human rights.
Course Learning Outcomes
Program Outcomes Matrix
| Level of Contribution | |||||
| # | Program Outcomes | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 1 | To establish a firm basis of academic knowledge in the discipline of International Relations. | ✔ | |||
| 2 | To draw connections among different social sciences disciplines. | ✔ | |||
| 3 | To analyze social and international phenomenon in a holistic manner. | ✔ | |||
| 4 | To communicate in oral and written ways. | ✔ | |||
| 5 | To create original ideas through academic inquiry and research. | ✔ | |||
| 6 | To have social sensitivity and moral responsibilities. | ✔ | |||
0: No Contribution 1: Little Contribution 2: Partial Contribution 3: Full Contribution