PSIR353 International Human Rights introduces students to the historical evolution of human rights ideas, norms, and institutions and explains how competing “visions” of human dignity became embedded, often unevenly, within the modern international system. Beginning with religious, moral, and philosophical traditions, the course traces early cross-border humanitarian and anti-slavery efforts, the interwar limitations of rights protection, and World War II as a turning point that accelerated postwar institution-building. Students then examine the United Nations human rights framework, the politics and philosophy shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), and the growth of treaties, monitoring bodies, and accountability practices that attempt to translate ideals into practice. Throughout, the course emphasizes careful reading, conceptual clarity, and evidence-based argumentation while assessing contemporary challenges such as sovereignty, enforcement gaps, globalization, security discourse, and emerging threats to human rights.
- Teacher: Hamidreza MONIBI