1 Human Rights, SIS 622-001 American University, Fall 2011 Tues. 2:35pm- 5:00pm Professor Julie Mertus Contact information: E-mail: [email protected] Office phone: 202-885-2215 (the worst way to contact me – never assume that I receive an office message) Home phone: 410-532-0423 (please do not call after 9:00pm) Syllabus Course Description: This course has been specifically designed to address the needs and interests of students of international studies and, in particular, those engaged in the study of peace and conflict resolution, international ethics, international politics and international development. The course is divided into four parts. It begins by examining the philosophical and political bases for the international human rights movements, probing the ongoing debate over universality, culture and human rights. Second, the course introduces the main United Nations and regional systems for human rights protection and promotion. Third, students become acquainted with the methodology of human rights fact-finding, with attention given to learning and practicing interview techniques and planning investigations. Finally, the course challenges students to think as human rights advocates in their examination of specific strategies for protection and promotion. The class will be highly participatory and will encourage diversity of opinion and respect for differing views. NO LAPTOPS ARE PERMITTED IN CLASS. This class is in compliance with the university’s policies on reasonable accommodations for people with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities should see the professor early in the semester. Course Goals: This course seeks to help students to: develop analytical skills to question and appraise human rights policies and practices at the international and national levels; enhance understanding of fact-finding methodology and develop interview skills;2 gain substantive knowledge of the international law and policy of human rights and consider prevailing trends in the human rights field, its challenges and contributions of critics; perceive improvements, discern ambiguities and identify contradictions in the human rights movement; draw useful conclusions about the roles of various state and nonstate actors in the identification of rights and in their promotion and enforcement; and identify potential roles for oneself in the promotion of human rights. Assigned Readings: Hertel, Shareen and Kathryn Libal, Human Rights in the United States: Beyond Exceptionalism (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2011)(“Beyond”). Mertus, Julie, The United Nations and Human Rights (New York: Routledge and Taylor & Francis, 2005) (“UN”) (be sure to purchase 2nd edition). Mertus, Julie, Human Rights Matters (Stanford Univ. Press, 2009). Moeckli, Daniel, Sangeeta Shah, Sandesh Sivakumaran, and David Harris eds., International Human Rights Law (London and New York: Oxford Univ. Press 2010)(“Main Text”). Requirements and Grading: Exams collectively count for 50% of the grade. The in-class exam (20%) tests your understanding of the central philosophical debates on human rights and the main elements of human rights systems and mechanisms. The final exam (30%) requires you to apply your knowledge of human rights to a specific hypothetical country. The remaining 50% of your grade is from the interview simulation (20%) book review (20%), and attendance at human rights week events (10%). The simulation, held mid-way throughout the semester, requires you to work in a small group to prepare a list of interview questions for a mock interview with a torture victim and to conduct the mock interview. A group paper setting forth your strategy for the interview and the interview questions to be asked is due at the beginning of the class when you conduct the mock interview. An individual reflection paper that utilizes the assigned readings for the class is due at the beginning of the class after you conduct the mock interview. The book reviews are scattered throughout the semester. You can choose two books to review together (you write one “review essay”). A list of books to review and a guide for writing book reviews will be available on blackboard. The attendance at human rights week events refers to an event held each fall by the Ethics, Peace and Human Rights (EPGA) program.3 Class attendance and consistent class preparation and participation are required. If your grade is borderline, grades may be raised one-half grade for excellent participation (defined by quality and not just quantity) and attendance (defined as missing no more than one class). On the other hand, grades may be lowered by one-half grade for students who miss three classes. Students who miss more than three classes will need to meet with me to explore whether they should receive any credit for the course and, if so, what additional work will be required to receive credit. This provides a good opportunity to increase your credit for participation. SYLLABUS: Human Rights, American University Aug. 30: Introduction to Class Sept. 6: Foundations: History/Philosophy/Critiques Book reviews READINGS: MAIN TEXT: 17-86 BEYOND: Chapter 6, “The Curious Resistance to Seeing Domestic Violence as a Human Rights Violation in the United States,” by Sally Engle Merry and Jessica Shimmin, 113-131. Chapter 7, “At the Crossroads: Children’s Rights and the U.S. Government,” by Jonathan Todres, 132-152. Debate 1: Are children’s rights subject to interpretation of the specific culture in question? In other words, to what extent are children’s human rights culturally relative? Sept. 13: Foundations: Politics Book reviews READINGS: MAIN TEXT: 3-14; 87-100 BEYOND: Chapter 14: “LGBT Rights as Human Rights in the US,” by Julie Mertus, 274-290.4 Chapter 15; “Disaster Politics in Louisiana and the Struggle for Human Rights, by Davida Finger and Rachel Luft, 291-312. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ Debate 2: Is the U.S. foreign policy on human rights in the Middle East based on politics or principle? How can the US human rights foreign policy in the Middle East be compared to Africa or South America? Sept. 20: The UN System – Office of the High Commissioner/Human Rights Council; Human Rights Council; Treaty-Based Bodies READINGS: MAIN TEXT: 391-406 UN: 8-97 Sept 27: