Course

International Human Rights

Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
Legal Studies
Course Code
LGST 3350
Credits
3.00
Semester Length
15 Weeks
Max Class Size
35
Method(s) Of Instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Online
Hybrid
Typically Offered
To be determined

Overview

Course Description
The course focuses on the history, development and present day exploration of International Human Rights. The course will assess the structure and standards that govern international human rights law, including an exploration into what international law is and how it is made. The course will consider the international and regional human rights systems and the range of legal instruments and standards that have been developed. Overall, the course will provide a solid and comprehensive introduction to the concept, study and practicalities of human rights in an international context.
Course Content
  • What Are Human Rights? 
  • Brief History of Human Rights
  • International Human Rights Law 
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
  • The Concept of Human Rights Theory and Contestation
  • Enforcement of International Human Rights

Specific topic areas may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Torture
  • Freedom of Religion/Freedom of Media
  • Right to Privacy
  • Minority Rights
  • Freedom from Poverty (Right to Education, to Health, to Work, the Right to Clean Environment)
  • Human Rights of Women/Human Rights of the Child (Modern Slavery)
  • Right to Asylum

 

Learning Activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:  lectures, and may include field trips, guest speakers, audio-visual presentations, debates, and individual readings by students.

Means of Assessment

Evaluation will be based upon the course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the course. Evaluation will be based upon the following:

  • Exams
  • Research paper or other written assignment
  • Class attendance and participation

An example of one possible evaluation scheme would be:

Class attendance and participation:  0-10%
Midterm exam:  0-30%
Research paper:  0-30%
Final exam:  0-30%
Total 100%

Students may conduct research with human participants as part of their coursework in this class.  Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving human subjects.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Explain the complexity of “human rights” as a concept, an area of study, and as a powerful moral and political discourse.
  • Demonstrate sound knowledge of the theoretical and historical origins of the modern conception of human rights.
  • Identify and access and the major international declarations, treaties, and covenants governing human rights.
  • Explain and evaluate mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing human rights standards.
  • Demonstrate analytical knowledge of and critical engagement with significant topics and issues pertaining to human rights.
  • Demonstrate and convey competencies in a clear and analytical communication style.
Textbook Materials

Textbooks will be updated periodically.  Typical examples include:

Smith, Rhona K.M. International Human Rights. 9th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, (Latest Edition)

Requisites

Prerequisites

Crim 1160

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer Details for LGST 3350
Athabasca University (AU) AU LGST 3XX (3)
Camosun College (CAMO) No credit
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU LAW 462 (3)
Coast Mountain College (CMTN) No credit
College of New Caledonia (CNC) CNC PSCI 2XX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) SFU CRIM 3XX (3)
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU SOCI 3XXX (3)
University of British Columbia - Vancouver (UBCV) UBCV POLI_V 3rd (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC INTS 306 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV POSC 330 (3)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC CRIM 2XXX (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025