SOCI 857: Sociology of Human Rights

SOCI 857-001: Sociology of Human Rights
(Spring 2017)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W

West Building 1001

Section Information for Spring 2017

The Sociology of Human Rights only recently has emerged as a formal sub-field within the discipline. Although most classical sociological theory (e.g., Marx, Weber, Durkheim) casts a cynical light on human rights, contemporary sociologists have contributed significantly to their development and to our empirical understanding of their practice. In 2008, the American Sociological Association created a new Section on Human Rights, and the International Sociological Association has an active Thematic Research Group on Human Rights.  But what are human rights? Where do they come from?  And how do we study them? Are there other important values aside from human rights (for example, “national security,” “national sovereignty,” “good governance” or “economically sustainable growth”), and if so, how are human rights related to them?  In other words, what are the limits and well as the value of human rights? Understanding human rights requires conceptual analysis, moral judgment, and social scientific knowledge.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Examines the connections among inequality, conflict, social justice, and human rights in an age of globalization. Drawing from case studies from around the world, course examines institutional and structural violence and inequality as they relate to state, corporate, and military power; international law and order; welfare and social policy; global justice; regionalism, multilateralism, and transnationalism; environmental protection; gender inequality; ethnic conflict; resource wars; and national security policy before and after September 11, 2001. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.