Human Rights

By Prof. (Dr.) Sarasu Esther Thomas | National Law School of India University, Bengaluru

Learners enrolled: 1546

This unique MOOCs offering is a collaboration between the National Human Rights Commission and the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. The Course, videos and materials have been put together by Fifteen Faculty Experts from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Human Rights are increasingly becoming important to the practice of law at the domestic and international levels and within government, the private, and community sectors. The promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms is one of the mandates of the United Nations, as set out in its Charter. There has been a trajectory of developments since then starting from UDHR to the wide range of international human rights standards and norms, as well as mechanisms to protect and promote these rights. Though there are many internationally accepted human rights frameworks, with legally binding conventions and institutionalized monitoring mechanisms, human rights remain contested in scope and implementation.

The topics that are discussed under the different modules reflect international mandates, national legislations, constitutional perspectives, comparative jurisdictions if any which require special reference, implementation mechanisms etc. The struggle against discrimination has been the cornerstone of many movements that have changed our world view on rights. The topics covered relate to many important components of society including rights of the marginalized including women, children, elderly, workers, transgenders, refugees etc., The Course follows a combination of theory, critical thinking and problem solving. Prominent pedagogical tools would be lectures and self learning.

The Course carries 4 credits.

Objectives:

1. To create an in depth knowledge of the conceptual framework on Human Rights and Fundamental Rights with distinction if any

2. Examine the constitutional imperatives of the human rights in detail

3. Make a critical appraisal of theoretical foundations of human rights

4. To highlight the objectives of administration of justice as a principal human right

5. Make a specific survey of the human rights of vulnerable sections of the society

6. Examining human rights in the context of globalisation, sustainable development and environmental protection

Learning outcomes:

Students who complete their module will have

1. A clear knowledge of theoretical foundations and conceptual framework as to human rights

2. In depth knowledge about various aspects of human rights

3. Thorough knowledge about implementation machinery to realize the human rights.

Summary

Course Status :	Completed
Course Type :	Not Applicable
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Law
Credit Points :	4
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	15 Jan 2021
End Date :	30 Apr 2021
Enrollment Ends :	28 Feb 2021
Exam Date :

Page Visits

Course layout

Week Description

Week 1 Introduction
Right to Food

Week 2 Human Rights and Fundamental Rights

Right to Privacy

Week 3 Women’s Rights as Human Rights

Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Week 4 Human Rights of the Senior Citizens

Police and Human Rights

Week 5 Freedom of Religion

Right to Fundamental Freedom

Week 6 Human Rights- International Parameters

Protection of Rights of the Minorities

Week 7 Rights of the Transgender

Right to Health

Week 8 Redressal Mechanism for violation of Human Rights

Week 9 Theoretical and Historical Foundations of Human Rights

Rights of the Child

Week 10 Right to Information

Week 11 Right to Environmental Protection

Week 12 Rights of the Workers

Right to Education

Books and references

Basic documents/ international instruments available at https://www.ohchr.org
Dworkin Ronald, Taking Rights Seriously, 4th edn., (Cambridge: Harward University Press, 1977)
Jain M.P. , Indian Constitutional Law (6thedn, LexisNexis, Nagpur,2011)
Philip Alston (ed), The United Nations And Human Rights: A Critical Appraisal (Oxford, 1992).
Prof. H.K. Nagaraja, Jurisprudence and the Concept of Human Rights, (Bangalore: Distance Education Department of National Law School of India University, Reprint 2017)
Baxi Upendra, Voices of Suffering and Human Rights, 8 Transnat’l L. & Contemp. Probs, 1998
Nariman Fali S., Fifty Years of Human Rights Protection in India - the Record of 50 Years of Constitutional Practice, 12 Student Advoc. 4 2000
Cruft R, Liao SM and Renzo M (eds) (2015) Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press.