Final Essay

This final assignment requires you to answer two essay questions.

Each essay should be 1500 words long, plus or minus 10% (excluding references list).

Successful responses will synthesize what you have learned in different parts of the course and demonstrate systemic understanding of how the human rights regime has functioned in the past or does function in the world today.

Your essays should include illustrative examples and be accurately referenced. You should draw on readings posted on these mycourses pages as appropriate, as well as topics discussed in the case presentations. You may also draw on additional sources although there is no expectation that you need to.

Please write two distinct essays, but submit them in one electronic document. Your submissions should follow a clear essay structure, with introduction, structured argument, and conclusion. Please ensure you are clear which questions you are answering.

Please submit your assignment in Microsoft Word format. Please do not submit as a pdf.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

Should states be more willing to use military intervention to protect human rights? Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of military intervention in relation to other mechanisms for ensuring the protection human rights in the world today (eg establishing universal jurisdiction and international courts, encouraging each country to integrate human rights into national regulation, NGO naming and shaming). What, in your view, is the best way to ensure that human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled? Please illustrate with examples.
A defining characteristic of human rights is that they are universal. How do proponents of human rights justify the idea that the rights contained in the UDHR are universal? How do critics of universal human rights justify the idea that human rights are a cultural imposition from elsewhere? What is your point of view about whether human rights can be claimed to be universal? Please illustrate with examples.
Certain groups in society have their human rights violated on a routine basis. Whats the best approach to ensuring these groups human rights are respected: through changing the law or changing cultural norms? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different arguments and what is your point of view? Please illustrate with examples.
What has the world learnt about how societies can best deal with the aftermath of mass human rights violations? What is your point of view? Explain the benefits and weaknesses of using (a) trials, (b) truth commissions, and (c) reparations. Explain how these mechanisms interact and how using one or more could impact the effectiveness of one or more others. Please illustrate with examples.
Which is the better approach to ensuring businesses respect human rights: through the existing combination of legal provisions and voluntary initiatives, or through a new international treaty creating binding legal commitments enforced by a new global court? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different arguments and what is your point of view? Please illustrate with examples.
How has the global human rights system needed to evolve since the 1940s in relation to womens rights, refugees & other migrants, and the natural environment? Why have some argued that the original human rights system created in the 1940s has needed to change in relation to these three areas? How has the human rights situation improved in relation to each of these three areas, if at all? What needs to change in the future in relation to these three areas, if anything? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the different arguments and what is your point of view? Please illustrate with examples.

Rubric
Analytic Writing Assignment
Analytic Writing Assignment
Criteria    Ratings    Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeThesis/Main Idea
25 pts
Excellent
Clearly presents a main idea appropriate to the topic/assignment and supports it throughout the paper.
20 pts
Good
There is a main idea appropriate to the topic/assignment and it is supported throughout most of the paper.
17.5 pts
Satisfactory
There is a main idea that is sufficiently well connected to the topic/assignment, but it is only weakly supported throughout the paper.
15 pts
Inadequate
There is a vague sense of a main idea or the main idea is not connected to the topic/assignment and/or it is weakly supported throughout the paper.
0 pts
Unacceptable
No main idea.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeContent
25 pts
Excellent
Exceptionally well presented and argued. Ideas are detailed, well developed, and supported with specific evidence and facts, as well as examples and specific details.
20 pts
Good
Well-presented and argued. Ideas are detailed, developed and supported with evidence and details, mostly specific.
17.5 pts
Satisfactory
Content is generally sound. Ideas are present but not particularly developed or supported. The analysis uses some evidence, but it is usually of a generalized nature.
15 pts
Inadequate
Content is confusing and/or difficult to follow. Ideas are unclear and undersupported. The analysis is based on little to no evidence.
0 pts
Unacceptable
Content is poorly conceived and/or impossible to follow.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeResearch
25 pts
Excellent
Uses appropriate academic resources. Sources are exceptionally well integrated and they support claims argued in the paper very effectively. References are appropriately cited In APA style.
20 pts
Good
Uses appropriate academic resources. Sources are well integrated and support the papers claims.
17.5 pts
Satisfactory
Some references used in the paper may not qualify as appropriate academic resources. Sources support some claims made in the paper but might not be well-integrated within the papers argument.
15 pts
Inadequate
The paper does not use adequate research or if it does, the sources are not well-integrated.
0 pts
Unacceptable
Little to no research content.
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality of writing and organization
25 pts
Excellent
Writing is clear, concise, and unambiguous. Organization is careful and logical. Essay is generally free of spelling and grammar errors.
20 pts
Good
Writing is generally clear, with some minor problems. Essay is generally well-organized with room for improvement. There are occasional errors in grammar or spelling.
17.5 pts
Satisfactory
Writing is often unclear and may sometimes impede understanding. Essay is disorganized and lacks structure. There are repeated spelling and grammar mistakes.
15 pts
Inadequate
Quality of writing impedes understanding. Essay is incoherent. There are grammar and spelling mistakes throughout. Overall tone may be careless or inappropriate.
0 pts
Unacceptable
Quality of writing prohibits understanding.
25 pts
Total Points: 100