PHIL 282.001 – Human Rights: Philosophical Interrogations

Instructor: Abbey Burke. This course meets TR 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. in DE 307.

The philosophy of human rights addresses questions about the existence, content, nature, universality, justification, and legal status of human rights. The strong claims made on behalf of human rights frequently provoke skeptical doubts and countering philosophical defenses. These will be addressed through classical and contemporary history of philosophy.

The relationship between rights and law, and the rights of refugees and other migrants are two recurring themes in this course. The course may be relevant to persons interested in working in public interest law, and to those who have an interest in law, history and international relations.