The Sociology of Human Rights (L3075B)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the historical evolution of human rights, alongside today’s debates about their ongoing validity.

You’ll examine the rise of human rights through case studies on topics around:

  • gender, citizenship and migration
  • torture and the death penalty
  • development and corporate abuses of human rights
  • analysing if we now live in a post-human rights world
  • the implications for human rights in a post-human era.

You’ll draw literature, news media and social media to consider crucial questions, such as:

  • whether human rights are inherently Eurocentric and entangled with colonial histories
  • if non-European human rights epistemologies can transcend these histories
  • whether judicial human rights frameworks can be revitalised through grassroots organisations and NGOs.

You’ll uses international examples, such as Guantanamo Bay, the death penalty in the US and Saudi Arabia, and the treatment of migrants in Europe. Through this, you’ll analyse the challenges and possibilities for human rights in a post-human rights era.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: