Høst 2015

SOA-3010 Indigenous Rights as Human Rights: The Social Organisation of Cultural Diversity - 15 stp

The course is administrated by

Institutt for arkeologi og sosialantropologi

Type of course

The course is compulsory for the students admitted to the Erasmus Mundus Master's program in Human Rights Policy and practice (HRPP). It is open for students from other programs and may be taken as a singular course.

Course contents

This course explores further the multidisciplinary character of human rights. It addresses debates about the universalism of human rights principles (equal rights) and the relativism of cultural and ethnic diversities (the right to be different), and looks at different types of social differentiation: for instance in relation to gender roles and religion, and the relationship between ethnicity and nationalism. It brings in a perspective on indigenous peoples that illustrates the important but still contested issue of collective human rights, and looks at the ways in which indigenous organisations have developed locally, nationally and transnationally. Comparison will be made to other forms of social movements.

Application deadline

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester. Applicants from outside the Nordic countries: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester.

Objective of the course

Students who successfully complete this course should have achieved the following learning outcomes.

Knowledge

have synthesised knowledge about global cultural diversity, with a special focus on minority and indigenous cultures.
understand the background and current status of international legal mechanisms for indigenous rights, within a human rights framework.
have an understanding of the dynamics between economic adaptations, culture and social organisation, and the relevance for state-minority relations.

Skills

be able to critically assess and use various definitions of the concept of culture;
be able to identify and conceptualise the diverse dynamics of social differentiation;
have an understanding and knowledge of different forms of social movements.
Be able to articulate the key elements of the indigenous rights movement at local and global levels

General competence

be able to apply a Human Rights perspective on global debates on indigenous rights, and a comparative perspective other forms of social movements.
be able to discuss the impact of modernisation and globalisation on indigenous and other minorities¿ identities and cultures, and link this with the notion of rights.
be able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of Human Rights discourses for the prospects of indigenous peoples¿ self-determination.

Language of instruction

English

Teaching methods

The course will be given as weekly lectures, supplemented by seminars, with intervals for essay writing. There will be a mid-term excursion to visit Sami institutions in Finnmark. Since broad issues will be covered in short lectures it is essential that the suggested readings have been studied prior to the lectures/seminars.

Assessment

Coursework requirements

Course attendance at the lectures and the excursion is compulsory, and only valid absence will be approved.

Students are required to complete the following coursework in order to take the final examination, students

Mid-term assignment:

Reflective essay of 2000-3000 words linked to field trip to Saami institutions in Norway; two students may also work together and submit 4000 words. The essay will be evaluated by the course responsible as pass/fail. It is possibility to resubmit, if the assignment is failed.

The final examination is an essay of about 4000 words written during a home examination period of 10 days. There will be three titles to choose from. The home examination is graded on the scale of A to F, where F=Fail. A re-sit exam will be arranged for this course.