POLI 4505
Human Rights: Legal Issues
This course focuses on the legal issues and debates that are implicated in the development and enforcement of domestic and international human rights. It will address the changing legal status of international human rights treaties and conventions, with attention to the work of international treaty bodies, courts, tribunals, and the implications of their decisions and recommendations in domestic contexts. It will look at the impact of the development of international criminal courts and tribunals – with attention to the debates concerning state sovereignty and accountability, and what enables or restricts intervention in human rights crises. A central theme of the course will be theories and approaches to justice, and their relation to the force of law and the challenges of legal systems and obligations.
Sections
From the syllabus
From the Winter 2024 syllabus by Megan Ross. Fall 2026 is taught by Ghosn N., so details may differ. Open the PDF
Grading
Textbook
- International Human Rights Law, Rhona K.M. Smith
Course rules
- Attendance
- Attend class and come prepared to participate in discussions.
- Submission
- Submit a paper copy of assignments in class at the beginning of class on the due date.
- Extensions
- One extension per semester is granted automatically; additional extensions require a documented reason.
- Late work
- Late assignments lose 5% per day, including weekends.
- Grade appeals
- Submit a half-page typed appeal within five days, including weekends, of receiving the grade.
- Recording
- Ask the instructor for explicit permission before recording or photographing course materials.
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