Taught In English

There is no language prerequisite for courses at this language level.

Course description:
This course will provide the students with an introduction to the issues surrounding the
development and abuse of human rights in Latin America. Students will explore the
most recent advances in this field along with the most pertinent problems pertaining to
their adoption and implementation. A particular emphasis will be given to the case of
Costa Rica, giving the students an opportunity to explore the development of human
rights in the following areas: women’s rights, children’s rights, HIV/AIDS, the CAFTA
agreement and labor rights, indigenous groups and human rights, disability and age
issues, and LGBT rights. Attention will be given to testimonies, media information and
cultural representations of human rights abuses in relation to these aforementioned
areas. By analyzing these cases and the issues involved, students will gain an
understanding of how human rights are being implemented through Costa Rica’s laws,
policy framework and its institutional commitment to human rights.
Course objectives:
1) To gain a general understanding of the main human rights issues in Latin
America.
2) To explore the issue of human rights within the Costa Rica context.
3) To understand the development of the Costa Rican human rights process.
4) To critically assess to what degree human rights are being implemented and
what are the main obstacles preventing their consolidation.
5) To develop a critical understanding of the Costa Rican human rights process
through analyzing varying perspectives and human rights issues.
6) To observe and experience Costa Rica’s human rights process at first hand.
7) To keep a journal noting experiences and observation about human rights
issues.
8) To develop a critical reading of Mass Media representations about human
rights.
9) To undertake a research project in relation to an area of the course (depending
on the students interests).
Evaluation:
Participation - 10%
Homework assignments - 10%
Class readings - 10%
Exam - 15%
Research report - 20%
Journal - 20%
Research presentation- 15%
COURSE STRUCTURE AND SESSION CONTENT
Session 1:
Introduction
-Introduction to course and instructors.
- Syllabus explained.
- Students invited to talk about interests and ideas about human rights issues in
Latin America.
Session 2:
Introductory research and laboratory session
-Guide to writing about film.
-Discuss research papers, ideas and advice.
- Discuss other assignments.
Session 3:
The International Declaration of Human Rights.
-The general framework for the application of human rights explored.
Session 4:
An introduction to the main global and Latin American human rights issues.
-Human rights campaigns and concerns.
-Discuss research paper ideas.
Session 5:
Costa Rica and Human rights.
-A closer look at human rights issues in Costa Rica: advances and limits.
-A critique of the implementation of Costa Rica’s humans rights.
-Case studies: 1) Ombudsman’s Office, 2) Indigenous issues.
Session 6:
Costa Rica, women and human rights.
- The advancement and limitation of women’s rights.
- Main Costa Rican organization working in this field.
- Case study â€" the participation of women in Costa Rica’s political processes.
-Case study â€" women and labor rights.
-Case study â€" women and domestic violence.
Session 7:
Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos (IIDH).
-A visit and introduction to the work of the IIDH.
-A library and resource tour.
Session 8:
Journal and testimonies.
- Movie.
- Hand in research paper titles and first draft.
Session 9:
Children and human rights in Costa Rica.
-An introduction to the main advances and limitation in the area of children’s
rights.
- Case study â€" children and labor rights.
-Case study â€" The commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Session 10:
Journal and testimonies.
-Journal.
- Movie.
Session 11:
HIV /AIDS
-An introduction to the issues surrounding HIV and human rights
- Case study â€" Costa Rican women and HIV.
Session 12:
Journal and testimonies.
- Journal
- Movie
Session 13:
Age, disability and human rights.
- An introduction to human rights and public access issues.
- Case study â€" The Accessibility Without Exclusion Party (PASE).
Session 14:
Human rights and indigenous peoples.
- A discussion about indigenous peoples rights and human rights abuses.
- Case study â€" indigenous peoples access to resources (education and land).
Session 15:
EXAM
Session 16:
Research session
Session 17:
LGBT and human rights
Session 18:
Journal and testimonies.
-Journal.
-Movie
Session 19:
CAFTA
Session 20:
Journal Presentation
Session 21:
Research Presentations
Session 22:
Grades, conclusions and closing