131-547 Rethinking Rights and Global Development

Usually admission to an MA in Gender Studies

This subject explores the theoretical and political issues surrounding ideas of rights and human rights, with special reference to the development process within the contemporary globalising order. It draws on recent critical, feminist and other (re)theorising within a range of disciplines including anthropology and sociology, political science, international relations, geography, legal studies, history and development studies. The subject examines definitions of rights and the reframing of such ideas within critical theory; the background to the development of the international human rights regime; the moral basis of and possibility of global civil society and global citizenship; histories of rights discourses, especially the so-called four generations of rights; the state, citizenship and rights in the developing world; 'rights', universalism, cosmopolitanism and 'culture', with particular reference to 'Asian Values'; participation and rights-based development theory and practice, especially in relation to poverty alleviation, economic and land rights; indigenous people's rights; labour; unfree labour and rights; war, displacement, the new migrations and refugees' rights; women's rights; sexuality rights; children's rights; disability rights; and NGOs, social movements and rights.

• show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;

• have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

A research essay of 3000 words 60% (due mid semester), a reflective essay of 2000 words 40% (due at the end of semester).

A subject reader will be available.