Topics in the Philosophy of Human Rights

Course goals

Intended purpose of this Topics Seminar is for the participating student  (1) to become familiar with positions taken in the current debates over the specific topic area of the course; (2) to appreciate the arguments for and against the positions; and (3) to develop an independent judgment about the most promising approach in this area. In particular, this course aims to familiarize students with important concepts and problems in the contemporary philosophy of human rights and to enable them to think critically about the moral and political implications of this concept.
 

Content

This "Topics Seminar" explores in depth issues and texts in the area of philosophy of human rights and addresses philosophical questions regarding the existence, content, nature, universality, justification, and legal status of human rights.  The specific topic will be different each time, so as to tailor it to current research developments in the field.


THEME for 26-27 will be announced later. :  

The topic for 2024-25 was "Disability Human Rights." We will critically examine philosophical discussion of disability rights within the broader context of human rights law and advocacy. The course begins with an introduction to the often-contested and overlooked domain of disability rights, highlighting the significance of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). We will then step back and consider several key issues and foundational concepts of human rights, addressing their justification and the current debates surrounding their scope and legitimacy. The course then transitions to more established as well as recent discussions of disability rights, including the influential social model of disability and its ongoing transformation. Key topics include the right to enablement of functioning, with a focus on sensory and mobility impairments, and the rights related to political participation and supported communication. Through these sessions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the philosophical underpinnings and practical implications of disability human rights. 
The seminar will be taught by Joel Anderson, with active participation from visiting professor Wayne Martin (U Essex), an expert in philosophy of disability rights and philosophical and legal theories of the will. 

This course is for students in the RMA Philosophy programme; students from other M.A. programmes (such as History & Philosophy of Science, Applied Ethics, or a legal Research Master),  should check with the course coordinator or the RMA Philosophy coordinator (Niels van Miltenburg <n.vanmiltenburg@uu.nl>), before enrolling, to ensure that they have the requisite philosophical background.
The entrance requirements for Exchange Students will be checked by International Office and the Programme coördinator. Therefore, you do not have to contact the Programme coördinator yourself.

Additional information

Counts towards the fulfillment of the “Topics Seminar” requirement for RMA Philosophy. Well suited to MAE students.

As of August, please check Blackboard regularly for more information concerning your course(s).