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Literature and Human Rights


Course Description

Investigates the way in which literary studies have contributed to the understanding of human rights (with an emphasis on human dignity, equality, liberty, and progress), and interrogates whether “human rights” can be accepted as a universal code, considering that mores vary from culture to culture.


Athena Title

Literature and Human Rights


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in ENGL 3330H


Pre or Corequisite

ENGL 1102 or ENGL 1102E


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

This course aims to introduce students to a wide range of texts by writers who have responded to human rights violations around the globe. At the end of the course, students, having read a substantial body of literature, will be able to discuss the assigned works (orally and in writing) with a considerable degree of critical sophistication. More specifically, the objectives will include the following: • To develop a vocabulary of key concepts in literary studies • To learn about the history of human rights and the forces that shape international standards • To consider the ways in which cultural backgrounds alter the understanding of human rights • To analyze the role of cultural forms in discussions of social justice • To acquire intercultural and international context by making connections between literary works • To evaluate the role of transnational institutions such as the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch • To read critically and write analytically


Topical Outline

The choice and sequence of topics will vary from instructor to instructor and semester to semester. The literature will be read outside of class and discussed in class, examined individually and comparatively in the context of the times and the circumstances of their composition. Periodically during the semester, students will perform a number of graded tasks, including some combination of tests and out-of-class papers. Works to be studied may include the following: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Half of a Yellow Sun. Michael Ondaatje, Anil’s Ghost. Rohinton Mistry, A Fine Balance. Mulk Raj Anand, Untouchable. Nadine Gordimer, My Son’s Story. Edwidge Danticat, Farming of Bones. Fadia Faqir, Pillars of Salt.