HR291-5-AU-CO:
Human Rights in Historical Perspective
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Philosophical, Historical and Interdisciplinary Studies (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Inactive
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
16 January 2020
Requisites for this module
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This module explores the historical grounding of 'Human Rights' by examining the origins of many constituent concerns from the fifteenth to the twentieth century. These concerns include the practice and theory of torture, the definition of man and beast, slavery and the rights of the free man, the persecution and judicial treatment of deviance and witchcraft, the interference of Church and State in the freedom of expression, the development of a language of 'rights', the state-led engagement with matters of identification, privacy and security, comparative notions of human rights and tolerance in China, and, more recently, the international attempts at the definition and enforcement of rights.
'Human Rights in Historical Perspective' gives students the opportunity to engage with a very broad range of historical topics, all central to a modern understanding of 'human rights'. It will develop awareness of the complexity and indeterminacy of many constituent issues, the extent and challenge of continuing historical debate, and the relevance of continuing historical research and writing in the exploration of contemporary human rights issues. What are the historical origins of 'rights' that are intellectual and legal constructs invented and promulgated from very particular places at very particular times? The debates are far from over, they are current, and they are exceptionally lively.
This module aims to extend these debates, and is taught, by lecture and seminar, the lectures given by different contributing historians, each with their own specialisms and perspectives. Although the sessions offer contrasting approaches and explore many different subjects, the series also develops a number of important themes across the sessions - and across time and geography. Dispute and argument, both historical and contemporary, remain further common elements.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
One-hour lecture and one-hour seminar per week.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
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Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Vicki Howard, email: vh16104@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Vicki Howard
Belinda Waterman, Department of History, 01206 872313
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No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 27 (90%) hours available to students:
3 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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