Current course offerings

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Course description

Human rights became a topic of high global significance in the wake of the horrible war crimes and totalitarianism of the 20th century. However, rights and freedoms have a much deeper history in Western thought and practice. They have involved some of the most contested debates in theology and philosophy over the centuries and have contributed significantly to the development of Western legal and political institutions. In this course, students will read a number of key texts that will allow them to consider the fundamental role that the twin concepts of rights and freedoms have played in shaping Western Civilisation, and how approaches to these concepts have evolved from ancient times to today's globalised society. These texts will examine and evaluate key conceptualisations, defences and critiques of rights and freedoms, encompass Indigenous perspectives and a diversity of authorial voices, and enable students to appreciate how varying schools of thought concerning the source, nature, scope and implications of rights and freedoms have shaped Western Civilisation.

Archived offerings