Students are strongly advised to have taken a senior university course in any of political science, political economy, sociology, communications, economics, or cultural theory
Course start date:
If you are a:
Self-funded student: register by the 10th of the month, start on the 1st of the next.
Political Science 450: Globalization and Human Rights explores the relationship between the two themes. In recent years, courses on globalization and human rights have become standard offerings at many universities. However, they are usually taught as separate courses and do not consider the relationship between the two. This course explores how globalization and human rights are interrelated. It does not assume you are well versed in either but, rather, introduces each topic separately early in the course and then joins them later in the course, examining their interdependence.
Outline
Unit 1: Human Rights—Origins and Controversies
Unit 2: What Is Globalization?
Unit 3: How Are Human Rights and Globalization Interrelated?
Unit 4: Globalization, Human Rights, and Social Justice
Unit 5: Globalization and Social and Cultural Rights
Unit 6: Protecting and Promoting Human Rights—The State, the United Nations, and Civil Society
Unit 7: Transnational Advocacy, Globalization, and Human Rights—Two Case Studies
Unit 8: Corporate Social Responsibility—Can Corporations Promote Human Rights?
Evaluation
To receive credit for POLI 450, you must achieve an overall course grade of at least a D (50%). You must complete and submit all three assignments and the final examination and achieve a minimum grade of 50% on each.
Activity
Weight
Complete by
Assignment 1: Critical Assessment Essay
15%
Upon completion of Unit 3
Assignment 2: Research Essay Proposal
15%
Upon completion of Unit 5
Assignment 3: Research Essay
35%
Upon completion of Unit 8
Final Examination
35%
Upon completion of Unit 8
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Ellwood, W. (2015). Globalization: Buying and selling the world (4th ed.). Between the Lines. (Print)
Fischlin, D., & Nandorfy, M. (2007). The concise guide to global human rights. Black Rose Books. (Print)
Hertel, S. (2006). Unexpected power: Conflict and change among transnational activists. Cornell University Press. (Print)
Other Materials
All other materials for POLI 450 are accessible online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the POLI 450 challenge registration, you must complete all required components and achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent).
The Challenge option comprises a 100% final examination. To receive credit for the POLI 450 Challenge option, you must receive a grade of D or greater (i.e., 50% or greater) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.