Human Rights [2616]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's or Licence level (or equivalent); proficiency in French
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: French
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course examines human rights from a holistic perspective, seeking to reconcile individual and collective rights through a Christian understanding of the human person. It first explores the meaning and nature of rights, considering them as claims, entitlements, liberties and interests, before examining the characteristics and foundations of human rights. It then addresses the emergence of collective rights, with particular attention to minorities, indigenous peoples and future generations, as well as the rights to self-determination, development and a safe and healthy environment.

The course develops a theological approach based on the concepts of imago Dei and, especially, imago Trinitatis. The latter provides the basis for a relational understanding of the human person that seeks to avoid both excessive individualism and pure collectivism. The final part applies this perspective to Catholic social teaching and proposes a holistic and integral theory of human rights founded on solidarity, responsibility, equality, empowerment, indivisibility and universality.

Course Objectives

This course enables you to:

• Understand the concept and nature of human rights and the main approaches to defining rights.
• Analyse the relationship between individual and collective rights, including the rights of minorities, indigenous peoples and future generations.
• Examine key collective rights, particularly the rights to self-determination, development and a safe and healthy environment.
• Explain the theological foundations of human dignity and human rights through the concepts of imago Dei and imago Trinitatis.
• Assess the implications of a relational understanding of the human person for individual responsibility, community life and humanity’s relationship with creation.
• Evaluate the contribution of Catholic social teaching to human rights and understand the principles of a holistic and integral Christian theory of human rights.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Analyse a philosophical question by drawing on the methods of argumentation and critical thinking. 

Course Outline

Section 1: The concept and nature of human of human rights

Section 2: Emergence of group/collective rights

Section 3: A Christian view on the foundation of human rights

Section 4: The implications of Imago dei - Trinitatis

Section 5: A Catholic human rights theory founded on the concept of Imago Trinitatis

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade,
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises);
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone holding a Bachelor's degree or Licence (or an equivalent qualification) in law, the humanities, social sciences, theology, or a related field connected to human rights, or with significant personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written French is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Jack Donnelly, Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, London, 1989.
• Michael Freeman, Human Rights: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Cambridge, 2002.
• Makau Mutua, Human Rights: A Political and Cultural Critique, Philadelphia, PA, 2002.
• A. H. Robertson et J. G. Merrills, Human Rights in the World: An Introduction to the International Protection of Human Rights, 3e éd., Manchester, 1989.
• Roger Ruston, Human Rights and the Image of God, London, 2004.