Human rights (HR) cover all aspects of our private and professional lives. But what are those rights and why should we know about them?

The lecture gives you an insight into current Human Rights Law & Practice on a German/ European and international level: Who are the actors (states / NGOs) and how are HR translated into action? What about the widening gap between HR law and HR reality?

In session 1 and 2 all participants will decide upon the main topics (at least 3) the lecture will focus on:

HR and

• digital world: ‘digital totalitarism’? (China); ‘information war’; ‘quantified self’; internal internet; hate speech/ hate crimes…
• climate change: UN SDGs; COP-conferences ; ‘climate justice’
• war: ‚killer robots‘; war algorithms; global fight against impunity
• business: diversity; CSR standards; supply chains
• vulnerable groups: childrens’ rights into German constitution?; charter of rights for (older) persons in care settings; empowerment for persons with disabilities
• …………………: a topic you would like to propose?

The lecture will provide you with an understanding of basic HR principles. You will gain ethical, legal and political knowledge to perceive the growing impact of HR on a national and global scale. It will help you to evaluate media coverage of HR, to participate in discussions on a sound basis, and it might broaden your intercultural perspective.

The course is open to students of all faculties! International students are welcome.

• Sessions: Every Tuesday 14:00-15:30 (starting March 17, 2020). There will be time for lecture, student discussion, group work, media analysis.
• Course requirements: Grading is based on mid-term exam (30 min.) and short paper.
• Required material: BYOD (screen size suitable for online research) when requested.