The main goal of the course is to present students with a history of the concept of human rights in the Western intellectual history; with historical and current forms of institutions in place to promote and enforce human rights; with current controversies related to the human rights agenda in the multi-cultural globalized world.

The main goal of the course is to present students with a history of the concept of human rights in the Western intellectual history; with historical and current forms of institutions in place to promote and enforce human rights; with current controversies related to the human rights agenda in the multi-cultural globalized world.

Here, in the SIS, you can find recordings from the covid period. The lectures are not identical to the lectures that are taught in person. The recordings serve as additional teaching tool.  

You will also find a syllabus in the SIS.

In Moodle you will find syllabus and lecture presentation. 

MS Teams is optional, there you can find lecture presentations and recordings.

Required reading:

Donnelly, J. Universal Human Rights. New York: Cornell University Press. 2003. 290 s. ISBN 0801487765.

Muhič Dizdarevič, S. - Valeš, F. Stínová zpráva 2009/2010: rasizmus a diskriminace v České republice. In: ENAR Shadow Report 2009/2010. (ed.) ENAR. Brusel: European Network Against Racism, 2011,  s. 1-48. Available at: https://www.enar-eu.org/wp-content/uploads/5._czech_rep.pdf 

Muhič Dizdarevič, S. Islamophobia in the Czech Republic: National Report 2018, in: Enes Bayraklı & Farid Hafez, European Islamophobia Report 2018, Istanbul, SETA, 2019, pp. 233-250. Available at: https://setav.org/en/assets/uploads/2019/09/EIR_2018.pdf, p. 233-250

A written test at the end of the course is mandatory for the course completion. 

Attendance for this course is not mandatory. However, any additional information which is regularly given during lectures must be obtained by coming to the lectures or asking for consultation during office hours, not via individual emails. 

1. Introduction to the course. History of the concept of human rights.

2. Human rights and natural rights.

3. Moral vs. legal rights. Legal positivism. Moral relativism and human rights.

4. Generations of human rights.

5. Human rights in non-European traditions.

6. Human rights implementation and post-colonial critique.

7. Human rights in the United Nations. Declaration of human rights.

8. Human rights in international law.

9. Human rights legislation in a regional and continental context.

10. The concept of citizenship and human rights.

11. Human rights treaties by issues: race, gender, age.

12. Role of non-governmental organizations in the promotion of human rights.

13. Concluding remarks and preparation for the test.