Course Name Year Term Period Faculty / Graduate School All Instructors Credits
16557:IR18‐EE313 International Human Rights (R) § 16558:IR-EAS303 International Human Rights (R) § 16559:RUIR-2511 International Human Rights(R) 2024 Spring Tue3 College　Of　International　Relations KITAMURA RIEKO 2

Campus

KIC

Class Venue

KOSHINKAN　KS305

Language

English

Course Outline and Method

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

Introduction (online)

Self-introduction and ice-breaking

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

Are human rights relative or universal?

Discussion on the universality of human rights

5

Contents of human rights (1)

Right to life; Death penalty; No torture

6

Contents of human rights (2)

Freedom of thought and religion; Freedom of expression; Freedom of assembly

7

Contents of human rights (3)

Right to a fair trial; Right to participate in political and public affairs

8

Contents of human rights (4)

Right to property; Right to education; Right to work

9

Balancing rights

Ex.) free speech, privacy

10

Protection of vulnerable people

Ethnic, racial, religious, sexual minorities; People with disabilities; Children

11

The protection system of human rights (1)

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

12

The protection system of human rights (2)

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

13

Rethinking the definition of human rights

Human rights and politics; Impact of globalisation on the concept of human rights

14

Paper assignment 1 (online)

Preparation for the assignment

15

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 1st, 14th and 15th 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 15 (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.
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:http://www.ritsumei.ac.jp//students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html