Human Rights in World Affairs (POLS 589)

2022 Fall
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Political Science(POLS)
3
10
Oya Yeğen zoyayegen@sabanciuniv.edu,
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English
Doctoral, Master
--
Formal lecture,Interactive lecture
Discussion based learning
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Programs\Type Required Core Elective Area Elective
Computer Science and Engineering - With Master's Degree *
Conflict Analysis and Resolution - Non Thesis *
Conflict Analysis and Resolution - With Thesis *
Leaders for Industry Biological Sciences and Bioengineering - Non Thesis *
Leaders for Industry Industrial Engineering - Non Thesis *
Leaders for Industry Materials Science and Engineering - Non Thesis *
Leaders for Industry Mechatronics Engineering - Non Thesis *
Political Science - Non Thesis *
Political Sciences - With Bachelor's Degree *
Political Sciences - With Master's Degree *
Political Science - With Thesis *

CONTENT

This course introduces students to the foundations of human rights theory and practice. The course analyzes what constitutes as human rights (political, economic, social, and cultural rights) and examines contemporary issues around the globe. The course will also offer a critical analysis of international human rights norms and its enforcement by focusing on major international institutions and the documents that govern the human rights regime as well as the role of states, individuals, NGOs and the media.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the foundations of human rights theory and practice and examine the role of human rights in world affairs. The goal is to understand what constitutes as human rights, why human rights are violated and how human rights are enforced by focusing on major international institutions and the documents that govern the human rights regime as well as the role of states, individuals, NGOs and other human rights networks.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Understand the development of the concept of human rights and discuss the various critiques of this concept.
  • Define and identify human rights and critically evaluate their implementation in world affairs.
  • Identify the relevant the international human rights treaties and understand how the human rights regime works.
  • Analyze and understand the strengths and weaknesses of mechanisms to promote and protect human rights by individuals, non-governmental organizations, states, and international organizations and others.
  • Critically think about different human rights problems in different countries by focusing on case studies.
  • Apply theoretical knowledge and develop writing and communication skills.
  • Critique readings, analyze evidence and make informed arguments

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

1. Develop and deepen the current and advanced knowledge in the field with original thought and/or research and come up with innovative definitions based on Master's degree qualifications 4

2. Conceive the interdisciplinary interaction which the field is related with ; come up with original solutions by using knowledge requiring proficiency on analysis, synthesis and assessment of new and complex ideas. 4

3. Evaluate and use new information within the field in a systematic approach. 4

4. Develop an innovative knowledge, method, design and/or practice or adapt an already known knowledge, method, design and/or practice to another field; research, conceive, design, adapt and implement an original subject. 3

5. Critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of new and complex ideas. 5

6. Gain advanced level skills in the use of research methods in the field of study. 4

7. Contribute the progression in the field by producing an innovative idea, skill, design and/or practice or by adapting an already known idea, skill, design, and/or practice to a different field independently. 3

8. Broaden the borders of the knowledge in the field by producing or interpreting an original work or publishing at least one scientific paper in the field in national and/or international refereed journals. 2

9. Demonstrate leadership in contexts requiring innovative and interdisciplinary problem solving. 2

10. Develop new ideas and methods in the field by using high level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. 3

11. Investigate and improve social connections and their conducting norms and manage the actions to change them when necessary. 3

12. Defend original views when exchanging ideas in the field with professionals and communicate effectively by showing competence in the field. 4

13. Ability to communicate and discuss orally, in written and visually with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio C1 General Level. 2

14. Contribute to the transition of the community to an information society and its sustainability process by introducing scientific, technological, social or cultural improvements. 3

15. Demonstrate functional interaction by using strategic decision making processes in solving problems encountered in the field. 2

16. Contribute to the solution finding process regarding social, scientific, cultural and ethical problems in the field and support the development of these values. 3

1. Develop the ability to use critical, analytical, and reflective thinking and reasoning 5

2. Reflect on social and ethical responsibilities in his/her professional life. 5

3. Gain experience and confidence in the dissemination of project/research outputs 4

4. Work responsibly and creatively as an individual or as a member or leader of a team and in multidisciplinary environments. 3

5. Communicate effectively by oral, written, graphical and technological means and have competency in English. 5

6. Independently reach and acquire information, and develop appreciation of the need for continuously learning and updating. 4

1. Develop a thorough knowledge of theories, concepts, and research methods in the field and apply them in research design and data analysis. 4

2. Assess the impact of the economic, social, and political environment from a global, national and regional level. 5

3. Know how to access written and visual, primary and secondary sources of information, interpret concepts and data from a variety of sources in developing disciplinary and interdisciplinary analyses. 5

1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 5

1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 5

2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 4

3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 4

4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 4

1. Analyze current and persistent conflict situations with an emphasis on perceptual and cultural aspects of social conflicts. 5

2. Conduct research in sources of conflicts and possible conflict resolution methods such as negotiation, third-party intervention, cooperative decision making, peace building, track-two and citizens' diplomacy applied to various social contexts. 4

3. Design and implement conflict resolution process to policy issues related to disputes in or among identity groups, governments, organizations, civil society or corporations. 4

4. Develop and sustain arguments in a variety of forms, formulating appropriate questions and utilizing evidence. 4

1. Begin to grasp historical evolution and contemporary character of world politics. 5

ASSESSMENT METHODS and CRITERIA

  Percentage (%)
Final 15
Quiz 15
Assignment 20
Participation 20
Other 30

RECOMENDED or REQUIRED READINGS

Readings

Samuel Moyn, 2018. How the Human Rights Movement Failed, April 23, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/23/opinion/human-rights-movement-failed.html

Todd Landman, 2002. Comparative Politics and Human Rights?, Human Rights Quarterly 24 , 890?923.

Todd Landman, 2004. Measuring Human Rights: Principle, Practice, and Policy? Human Rights Quarterly, Volume 26, Number 4, pp. 906-931. (G)

Jack Donnelly, International Human Rights, Routhledge, 2017, Ch. 2.

Paul Gordon Lauren, The Evolution of International Human Rights, 3rd ed. Ch. 1 and 2.

Samuel Moyn, 2010. The last Utopia? Human Rights in History. Cambridge: HUP. Ch. 2

Jerome J. Shestack. 1998. The Philosophic Foundations of Human Rights?. Human Rights Quarterly, Vol. 20, No. 2 (May, 1998), pp. 201-234. (G)

Andrew Moravsik. 2000. The Origins of Human Rights Regimes: Democratic Delegation in Postwar Europe?, International Organization, Volume 54 , Issue 2 , pp. 217 ? 252. (G)

Jack Donnelly, 2013. Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, 3rd ed, Cornell University Press Ch. 6 and 7.

Bronwyn Leebaw. 2007. The Politics of Impartial Activism: Humanitarianism and Human Rights?, Perspectives on Politics, Vol. 5, No. 2

Altan-Olcay, Özlem and Bertil Emrah Oder. 2021. Why Turkey?s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention is a global problem?, June 2, https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/can-europe-make-it/why-turkeys-withdrawal-from-the-istanbul-convention-is-a-global-problem/

Eric Posner. 2014. The Case Against Human Rights?, the Guardian, December 4, available at https://www.theguardian.com/news/2014/dec/04/-sp-case-against-human-rights

Stephen Krasner, 1999. Sovereignty: Organized Hypocrisy, Princeton, Ch. 4.

Emilie Hafner-Burton, 2013. Making Human Rights a Reality, Ch. 4 and 5.

Wade M. Cole. 2012. Human Rights as Myth and Ceremony? Reevaluating the Effectiveness of Human Rights Treaties, 1981?2007? American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 117, No. 4 (January), pp. 1131-1171 (G)

Wayne Sandholtz (2017). Domestic law and human rights treaty commitments: The Convention against Torture?, Journal of Human Rights, 16:1, 25-43. (G)

Beth Simmons, 2009. Mobilizing for Human Rights, International Law in Domestic Politics, Ch. 3 and 4.

Jean Grugel, Enrique Peruzzotti, 2012. The Domestic Politics of International Human Rights Law: Implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina,? Human Rights Quarterly, Volume 34, Number 1, February, pp. 178-19.

Bueno de Mesquita, B, GW Downs, A Smith & FM Cherif, 2005. Thinking Inside the Box: A Closer Look at Democracy and Human Rights,? International Studies Quarterly, 49(3): 439-458. (G)

James R. Vreeland. 2008. Political Institutions and Human Rights: Why Dictatorships Enter into the United Nations Convention Against Torture.? International Organization, 62, 01, pp. 65- 101. (G)

Yonatan Lupu. 2013. Best Evidence: The Role of Information in Domestic Judicial Enforcement of International Human Rights Agreements?. International Organization Vol. 67, Issue 3, pp. 469?503. (G)

Emilie Hafner-Burton, 2013. Making Human Rights a Reality, Princeton University Press, pp. 19-41.

Emily Hencken Ritter and Christian Davenport, 2021. An Illustrated Glossary of Political Violence? Jan. 18. https://politicalviolenceataglance.org/2021/01/18/an-illustrated-glossary-of-political-violence/

Sabine Carey. 2010. The Use of Repression as a Response to Domestic Dissent.? Political Studies 58: 167-186. (G)

Mauricio Rivera. 2017. Authoritarian Institutions and State Repression: The Divergent Effects of Legislatures and Opposition Parties on Personal Integrity Rights? Journal of Conflict Resolution Vol. 61(10) 2183-2207. (G)

Celso Perez and Muneer I. Ahmad. Why the UN Should Take Responsibility for Haiti's Cholera Outbreak?, the Atlantic, August 16, 2013 available at https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/08/why-the-un-should-take-responsibility-for-haitis-cholera-outbreak/278762/

Magnus Lundgren, Kseniya Oksamytna, and Vincenzo Bove (2022) Are UN Peacekeeping Leaders Held to Account??, Political Violence at a Glance. https://politicalviolenceataglance.org/2022/03/09/are-un-peacekeeping-leaders-held-to-account/

Wendy H. Wong. 2021. As a global infrastructure giant, Facebook must uphold human rights?. The Conversation, November 7. https://theconversation.com/as-a-global-infrastructure-giant-facebook-must-uphold-human-rights-169811.

Leigh A. Payne and Gabriel Pereira, Corporate Complicity in International Human Rights Violations,? Annual Review of Law and Social Science. 2016. 12:63?84. (G)

Emilie Hafner-Burton, Making Human Rights a Reality (Princeton University Press, 2013), Ch. 8.

Dursun Peksen, Better or Worse? The Effect of Economic Sanctions on Human Rights? Journal of Peace Research, vol. 46, no. 1, 2009, pp. 59?77.

Reed M. Wood, A Hand upon the Throat of the Nation?: Economic Sanctions and State Repression, 1976?2001? International Studies Quarterly, Volume 52, Issue 3, 1 September 2008, pp. 489?513. (G)

Richard A. Nielsen. 2013. Rewarding Human Rights? Selective Aid Sanctions against Repressive States?. International Studies Quarterly. Vol. 57, pp. 791?803 (G)


Mattia Pinto. 2020. Historical Trends of Human Rights Gone Criminal,? Human Rights Quarterly, Volume 42, Number 4, November 2020, pp. 729-761.

Kathryn Sikkink and Kim, Hun Joon, The Justice Cascade: The Origins and Effectiveness of Prosecutions of Human Rights Violations? (November 2013). Annual Review of Law and Social Science, Vol. 9, pp. 269-285, 2013.

David Bosco Why is the International Criminal Court picking only on Africa?? The Washington Post, May 29, 2013 available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-is-the-international-criminal-court-picking-only-on-africa/2013/03/29/cb9bf5da-96f7-11e2-97cd-3d8c1afe4f0f_story.html?utm_term=.9cd428380c59

Beth Simmons & Allison Danner (2010) Credible Commitments and the International Criminal Court,? International Organization, Vol. 64, No. 2 (Spring 2010), pp. 225-256. (G)

James D. Meernik, Angela Nichols, and Kimi L. King. 2010.?The Impact of International Tribunals and Domestic Trials on Peace and Human Rights After Civil War? International Studies Perspectives, Vol. 11, 309?334. (G)

Alan J. Kuperman, The Moral Hazard of Humanitarian Intervention: Lessons from the Balkans,? International Studies Quarterly (2008) 52, 49?80.

Benjamin A Valentino, The True Costs of Humanitarian Intervention: The Hard Truth About a Noble Notion,? Foreign Affairs ; New York Vol. 90, Issue 6, (Nov/Dec 2011): 60-73.

Dursun Peksen 2012. ``Does Foreign Military Intervention Help Human Rights??? Political Research Quarterly 65 (3):558?71. (G)

James H. Lebovic and Erik Voeten. 2006. ?The Politics of Shame: The Condemnation of Country Human Rights Practices in the UNCHR? International Studies Quarterly, 50, 861?888. (Skim)

Jack Snyder. 2019. Backlash against human rights shaming: emotions in groups?, International Theory.

Emilie Hafner-Burton, Trading Human Rights: How Preferential Trade Agreements Influence Government Repression,? International Organization (2005), 59: 593- 629.

Amanda M. Murdie and David R. Davis, Shaming and Blaming: Using Events Data to Assess the Impact of Human Rights INGOs,? International Studies Quarterly (2012) 56, 1?16. (G)

Rochelle Terman and Joshua Byun. 2022. Punishment and Politicization in the International Human Rights Regime? American Political Science Review, Volume 116, Issue 2, pp. 385 ? 402. (G)

Clifford Bob. 2002. Merchants of Morality? Foreign Policy 129: 36-45.

Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink. 1998. Activists Beyond Borders. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Ch.1.

Emilie Hafner-Burton, Making Human Rights a Reality (Princeton University Press, 2013), Ch. 9.

Thrall, A. Trevor, Dominik Stecula, and Diane Sweet. 2014. May We Have Your Attention Please? Human-Rights NGOs and the Problem of Global Communication?, The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics 19 (2), 135-159. (G)

Sarah S Stroup, and Amanda Murdie. 2012. There's no place like home: Explaining international NGO advocacy,? The Review of International Organizations; Dordrecht Vol. 7, Iss. 4, pp. 425-448. (G)

Oona Hathaway, Preston Lim and Mark Stevens. 2020. COVID-19 and International Law Series: Human Rights Law ? Right to Life?, Just Security, Nov. 18. https://www.justsecurity.org/73426/covid-19-and-international-law-series-human-rights-law-right-to-life/

Wendy H. Wong & Eileen A. Wong. 2020. What COVID-19 revealed about health, human rights, and the WHO, Journal of Human Rights?, Vol. 19, Iss. 5, pp. 568-581.

Eric Neumayer. 2013. Do governments mean business when they derogate? Human rights violations during notified states of emergency?. The Review of International Organizations. Volume 8, pages 1?31. (G)

David Rieff. 1999. ?The Precarious Triumph of Human Rights?, New York Times Magazine, available at https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/08/magazine/the-precarious-triumph-of-human-rights.html

Ingrid Wuerth. 2019. A Post-Human Rights Era? A Reappraisal and a Response to Critics,? March 22, https://www.lawfareblog.com/post-human-rights-era-reappraisal-and-response-critics

Jeff Sebo. 2018 Should Chimpanzees Be Considered Persons?? the New York Times, April 7, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/07/opinion/sunday/chimps-legal-personhood.html

Emilie M. Hafner-Burton and James Ron, Seeing Double Human Rights Impact through Qualitative and Quantitative Eyes?, World Politics 61, no. 2 (April 2009), 360?401
Optional Readings

Emilie M Hafner-Burton, ?A social science of human rights?, Journal of Peace Research 2014, Vol. 51(2) 273?286. (G)

Michelle Giacobbe Allendoerfer. 2017. ?Who cares about human rights? Public opinion about human rights foreign policy?, Journal of Human Rights, 16:4, 428-451. (G)

Amanda M. Murdie and David R. Davis. 2010. ?Problematic Potential: The Human Rights Consequences of Peacekeeping Interventions in Civil Wars?. Human Rights Quarterly, Volume 32, Number 1, pp. 49-72. (G)