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 or ENGL 1102S
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
- Students will be familiar with a wide range of texts by writers who have responded to human rights violations around the globe.
- Students will contextualize and analyze examples from multiple literary genres and will practice analyzing literary form and thinking critically about literature and culture. They will acquire intercultural and international context by making connections between literary works.
- Students will develop a vocabulary of key concepts in literary studies.
- Students will learn about the history of human rights and the forces that shape international standards.
- Students will consider the ways in which cultural backgrounds alter the understanding of human rights. They will analyze the role of cultural forms in discussions of social justice.
- Students will evaluate the role of transnational institutions such as the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch.
- Students will practice engaging in collaborative discussion with their peers, in small groups and/or full-class discussion. They will improve their ability to express their ideas cogently and effectively.
- Students will improve their abilities to argue persuasively, use textual evidence, and write vigorous prose that adheres to conventional standards of grammar and usage.
Topical Outline
- The choice and sequence of topics will vary from instructor to instructor and semester to semester. 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.
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
