Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
12974:[2025 Fall]IR18‐EE313 International Human Rights (R) § 12975:IR-EAS303 International Human Rights (R) § 12976:RUIR-2511 International Human Rights(R) 2025 Fall Wed5 College　Of　International　Relations KITAMURA RIEKO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS306

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

【+R-Jugyo】
Information for “+R-Jugyo” will be posted on the “Course News” on manaba+R by September 20. Be sure to check the “Course News” on manaba+R.

Human rights is the topic that concerns various scientific fields but is increasingly discussed in legal terms. The purpose of this course is to provide an overview to the principal legal concepts of human rights. The course will cover topics relating to human rights such as its genesis, its philosophical concepts, its classic and new legal contents, and its protection system. The students will grasp the current issues in the human rights discourse mainly from legal standpoint.

Student Attainment Objectives

Upon satisfactory completion of this course, students will be able to

- understand the general overview of human rights
- explain the current controversies relating to human rights
- demonstrate where the human rights movement is heading

Recommended Preparatory Course

Introduction to Law
International Law

Course Schedule

Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) Theme
Keyword, References and Supplementary Information
1, 2

What are human rights?

History of human rights and of international human rights

3

Basic concepts of human rights

Freedom, equality, dignity, democracy etc.

4, 5

Are human rights relative or universal?

Discussion on the universality of human rights

6

Contents of human rights (1)

Right to life; Death penalty; No torture

7

Contents of human rights (2)

Freedom rights: Freedom of expression

8

Contents of human rights (3)

Protection of vulnerable people: Ethnic, racial, religious, sexual minorities; People with disabilities; Children

9

The protection system of human rights

Legal procedure and extra-legal procedure in the domestic legal system

10

Case Study

To be decided

11

Business & Human Rights

Guest Lecture

12

Case study

To be decided

13

Paper assignment 1 (online)

Preparation for the assignment

14

Paper assignment 2 (online)

Course wrap-up; Students are to write a paper on a given topic

Class Format

The classes will be held face-to-face in principle. Please note that the 13th and 14th classes are held via Zoom. The Zoom link will be provided on course news before classes. Other classes might be switched to an on-demand style, in which case the details will be announced in advance both in class and through course news.

Recommendations for Private Study

Students are advised to read the related sections of the textbook before the classes. You may use any textbooks available in the library. The course will not necessarily use the designated textbook in each class.

Grade Evaluation Method

Kind Percentage Grading Criteria etc.
Final Examination (Written)

Report Examination
(A report to be submitted by the unified deadline)

Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment　
(Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class)		 100

･12 small papers to submit in classes (50%)
･Final paper at Lecture 14 (50%): Comprehension of the whole course will be checked by 1,000 words paper to write at the final lecture.

Grade Evaluation Method （Note）

Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods

Textbooks

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Textbook on international human rights Rhona K. M. Smith Oxford University Press 9780199672813

Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）

No need to buy the textbook. As mentioned above, the course will not necessarily use it in each class. N.B. The newest version (10th edition) is not available in the library - you may use any edition of the textbook.

Reference Books

Title Author Publisher ISBN Code Comment
Human Rights: Between Idealism and Realism Christian Tomuschat Oxford University Press 9780199683734
The Oxford Handbook of International Human Rights Law Dinah Shelton Oxford University Press 9780199640133
Human Rights: A Very Short Introduction Andrew Clapham Oxford University Press 9780198706168

Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）

Web Pages for Reference

How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)

Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students

Other Comments

For the online classes, a Zoom link will be provided on manaba before the class.
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URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/