International Human Rights

Enrollment: 18 students

This class analyzes contemporary international human rights: their historical and philosophical bases, their substantive content, and the procedural and institutional means for their enforcement. The course focuses on global human rights activity and emphasizes the legal dimension of human rights rather than their moral or political aspects.

Assessment is based primarily on a research paper to be submitted by the end of the semester on a topic in international human rights law of each student’s choice, subject to instructor approval. Each student will give a class presentation on their paper topic. Evaluation will also be based on class participation. Student research papers may satisfy either the Capstone writing requirement or no formal writing requirement. Only a few students will be allowed to do the Capstone. How these few will be chosen will be discussed the first day of class.

The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.