166-550 Human Rights and 'the Political'

Completion of 166-407 Contemporary Political and Social Theory, 166-416 Justice, Democracy and Difference, 136-073 Critical Theories or 191-301 Law in Social Theory or equivalent- level subject in social and political theory at the discretion of the course coordinator.

This subject examines the politics of human rights in terms of the concept of 'the political', which is developed by political theorists such as Wolin, Mouffe, Lefort and Ranciere. It considers what is at stake politically in representing social conflict in terms of human rights by surveying how rights have been conceptualised within the rival Enlightenment tradition. Through a close reading of texts that have been influential in contemporary debates in political theory, students will engage with questions such as: Can human rights transcend politics or is rights discourse inevitably ideological? Are human rights and popular sovereignty contradictory or mutually supporting principles? In what sense might ordinary citizens be held collectively responsible for human rights violations perpetrated in their name? Students will develop a research proposal and undertake independent research on a theoretical aspect of human rights, review each other's research proposals and report on research-in-progress in weekly seminars. On completing the subject students should have a deeper understanding of the conceptual and normative issues at stake in the politics of human rights.

• explain, analyse and evaluate theoretical texts and arguments;

• generate a convincing research proposal in relation to a current debate within a field of inquiry;

• critically review the work of peers and provide constructive feedback that will enable them to further develop their work and revise their own ideas and approaches to problems in the light of peer-review;

• undertake independent research on a theoretical issue;

• recognise and value how independent scholarly research is informed by and contributes to the development of knowledge and understanding within a community of learning.

A 1000 word short essay 20% (due week 4); a 1000 word research proposal 20% (due week 11); participation in a peer-review workshop (hurdle requirement taking place in week 12); and a 3000 word research essay 60% (due in examination period).

A subject reader will be available.