Saint-Louis University - Bruxelles
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DRHO2120 - Philosophy of Human Rights


[1 Q. • 30 Th. • 4 ECTS - credits]


Lecturers : Gérard Philippe, Ost François
Language of instruction : French
Learning outcomes : The objective of the course is to introduce students to the contemporary philosophical reflection on certain aspects of the issues related to human rights.

The course is intended to enable students to understand the issues and the scope of the philosophical arguments developed in this field and to complete an individual research project on one of the topics covered in the three introductory conferences.
Prerequisites : No specific prerequisites.
Course contents : The course commences with three introductory conferences (9 hrs.):
- democracy, human rights and civil disobedience
- democracy, human rights and freedom-curbing parties
- human rights, obligations and responsibilities.

The second part of the course (21 hrs.) includes a series of lectures relating to the general definition of human rights, the development of these rights in modern times and the evolution of their contents, the philosophical justifications of the legitimacy of human rights and the issues related to the universality of human rights.
Mode of delivery : Lectures
Assessment methods and criteria : For the three introductory conferences, students are to complete an individual research project (approximately 5 pages.

The second part of the course is assessed by means of an oral examination. This examination relates to a main question drawn at random by each student from among a set of questions communicated beforehand. Each student has 15 minutes to prepare his/her answer. During the examination, secondary questions related to the main question are addressed to the student.
Recommended or required reading : Materials: For the three introductory conferences, a reading list is made available to students.
For the second part of the course, a summary of the course, including a bibliography and a reading list, is made available to students. Students may also use the following text which covers the topics presented during the course: Ph. GÉRARD, L'esprit des droits. Philosophie des droits de l'homme, Bruxelles, Publ. des F.U.S.L., 2007.