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The goal of the course is to introduce students to the following topics: current definitions of human rights, controversy over different generations of human rights, history of human rights from ancient Greece up to contemporary philosophical and political science definitions, differences between natural and human rights, disputes with moral relativism, moral vs. legal rights, claim rights and liberty rights, scope and justification of human rights, HR as the dominant geopolitical doctrine of modern times, HR in international law and HR within the UN. Special attention will be paid to theories of international relations and the place of the HR agenda in them. Students will be encouraged to discuss current HR issues and illustrate the theories with political events. The creation of this course was funded by the Operational Programme Prague - Adaptability, cofinanced by the European Social Fund.
Last update: Muhič Dizdarevič Selma, Mgr., Ph.D. (27.08.2025)
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Required reading: Donnelly, Jack. 2003. Universal Human Rights. New York: Cornell University Press. Husák, Jan & Muhič Dizdarevič, Selma: Roma Civil Monitor (2023) Civil society monitoring report on the quality of the national strategic framework for Roma equality, inclusion, and participation in Czechia. ENGLISH – ROMANI – CZECH Valeš, František, Muhič Dizdarevič, Selma 2011. Racism and Related Discriminatory Practices in the Czech Republic. Available at: http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/publications/shadow%20report%202010-11/5.%20Czech%20Rep.pdf In the SIS, you will find the recordings of the lectures given during COVID. They are not identical to the weekly live lectures, but serve as an additional tool to help you if you can´t attend lectures regularly. In Moodle, you will find the syllabus and the lecture PPT. Last update: Muhič Dizdarevič Selma, Mgr., Ph.D. (21.01.2026)
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Conditions for course completion: 1. A written test at the end of the course is mandatory for course completion. 2. Preparing a short presentation or paper answering the questions, what are the main human rights problems in your country and why is the second requirement. The structure: identify the country, explain the historical background of the human rights problems in your country, explain the forms of human rights violations, why you selected the group whose human rights are violated, and what activities of non-governmental or other organizations are fighting against the violations. The presentation/paper must be submitted to Moodle by April 5. Starting on April 13, you will present your work according to the schedule I will provide. The presentations should fit approximately 10 minutes each if you are presenting individually or increase by 10 minutes if you are presenting as a group of a maximum of two students from the same country. Adjust your number of slides or the length of the paper accordingly. During the class presentation, bring your presentation on a flash drive or ensure you can download it if you want to use the data projector available in the classroom. More details in the PowerPoint presentation. 3. Attendance for this course is not mandatory. However, you must be present for your own presentation. The presentation schedule will be sent on April 7, and the first presentations will begin on April 13. You can exchange scheduled dates with your co-attendants; it is important to present by May 13. Without presenting your output in class, you cannot take the final test. You must be present for guest lectures. Failure to do so will result in a 10% reduction of points on the final test for each lecture (20% max). Here is info on the guest lectures and the dates: 1. Therapeutic Work with Perpetrators of Violence in Intimate Relationships - Josef Petr, MA Date: 16 March Work with perpetrators of violence is deeply connected to the human rights agenda. Why is it meaningful—and necessary—to work with the perpetrator side of a violent relationship? How can therapeutic intervention contribute to safety, accountability, and long-term change? This seminar will explore the therapeutic, ethical and legal frameworks of working with perpetrators of violence, the role of gender in violent behavior, and the impact such work can have on individuals, families, and society as a whole. The lecturer is a former director of the Czech NGO The League of Open-Minded Men, an organization with over 20 years of experience working with violent men, and the current chair of the Stop Violence association, which brings together therapeutic programs for perpetrators of violence across the Czech Republic. 2. UN - challenges in the contemporary global world - Michal Broža Date: 30 March The lecturer is the Head of the Office, UN Information Centre Prague (UNIC), UN Department of Global Communications. You may use AI for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should demonstrate how you've developed and refined these ideas. Failing to explain the concepts or ideas used in the papers or presentations will be considered a failure to complete the task, and you'll be required to redo it. Any additional information regularly provided during lectures must be obtained by attending the lectures or requesting consultation during office hours, not via individual emails. Syllabus valid for the summer semester of 2026. Last update: Muhič Dizdarevič Selma, Mgr., Ph.D. (20.02.2026)
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1. Introduction in 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 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 organization in promotion of human rights. 13. Concluding remarks and preparation for test. Requirement for the course is taking a written test and 80% attendence. Required reading: Donnelly, Jack. 2003. Universal Human Rights. New York: Cornell University Press. Available from the e-library in Moodle. Etzioni, Amitai. The Normativity of Human Rights is Sel-Evident. In Human Rights Quarterly. Available at: http://www.gwu.edu/~ccps/etzioni/documents/The%20Normativity%20of%20Human%20Rights%20Is%20Self%20Evident.pdf Valeš, František, Muhič Dizdarevič, Selma 2011. Racism and Related Discriminatory Pracitces in the Czech Republic. Available at: https://www.enar-eu.org/IMG/pdf/5._czech_rep.pdf Last update: Muhič Dizdarevič Selma, Mgr., Ph.D. (27.08.2025)
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