PY4652 The Philosophy of Human Rights

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

To be confirmed.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr E Ashford

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Elizabeth Ashford

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

We will explore cutting-edge research on the nature, content, and justification of human rights. We begin by examining the origins of human rights and the implications this has for the philosophical understanding thereof (focusing in particular on anti-slavery courts and on the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights). We explore current debates by political philosophers and international legal theorists over how we should properly conceive of human rights, the relationship between their status as moral and legal norms, and the nature of human dignity, to which the major human rights declarations appeal. The module also examines the significance of the fact that human rights are rights, as well as considering critical perspectives on the human rights movement.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment