HUMR5145 – Human Rights in Asia
Course description
Course content
This course will provide students with a broad overview of the human rights situation in Asia, and, especially, in relation to pressing contemporary challenges of: democracy, development and natural resources.
While providing a broad regional focus, there are 3 countries where the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights has been involved for a number of years through different programs focusing on human rights education and training namely China, Indonesia and Vietnam, in focus. In addition, Myanmar and Nepal will also be looked at.
The program is composed of three parts:
The first part provides some background theoretical and philosophical understandings of human rights in Asia, including the discourse of Asian values and provides an overview of the regional human rights system (ASEAN). These human rights issues will then be contextualized within broader contemporary dynamics and tradeoffs with democracy and development.
The second part focuses on the human rights situation in a number of countries, namely in China, Indonesia and Vietnam, and Nepal.
The third part focuses on the rights of a number of categories of vulnerable persons, namely minorities and indigenous peoples, women, children, and migrant workers.
Learning outcome
This course discusses the human rights situation in Asia generally, and that of China, Indonesia and Vietnam more specifically. The aim of the course is to provide students with a good understanding of the challenges and achievements in promoting and ensuring the enjoyment of human rights in Asia.
For further information on learning outcome, please see the semester pages.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Priority will be given to students attending Theory and Practice of Human Rights.
Students admitted to other Master's programmes may apply for guest student status.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
Students should have basic knowledge about international human rights, as well as some knowledge about Asia as a region.
Teaching
Lectures
Examination
Written assignment. Duration: 2 weeks.
Maximum 5000 words, assignments with text exceeding the word limit will not be sent to grading.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Marking criteria
This guide is used by examiners for grading this course.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.