Middlebury

SOAN 0340

Anthropology of Human Rights

The Anthropology of Human Rights
Human rights has become the master narrative for understanding moral responsibility between nations. High expectations have collided with brutal realities, raising difficult questions. Since cultures vary greatly in the rights they recognize, particularly for subordinate groups such as women and ethnic minorities, campaigning for human rights can become hard to distinguish from international intervention, complicating the issue of who is victimizing who. This course explores the anthropology of pre-state violence; contradictions between human rights and solidarity; the competing priorities of truth, justice and reconciliation; the synergy between international humanitarian relief and warlordism; ethnic fratricide and the failed state. Case studies include repression in Guatemala, vigilante justice in Peru, the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and the flow of political and economic refugees to zones of safety such as the United States. 3 hrs. lect./disc., 2 hrs. screen (Anthropology)
Subject:
Sociology/Anthropology
Department:
Sociology/Anthropology
Division:
Social Sciences
Requirements Fulfilled:
CMP SOC
Equivalent Courses:

Sections

Fall 2014

SOAN0340A-F14 Lecture (Stoll)

Spring 2013

SOAN0340A-S13 Lecture (Stoll)

Fall 2010

SOAN0340A-F10 Lecture (Stoll)

Spring 2009

SOAN0340A-S09 Lecture (Stoll)

Spring 2007

SOAN0340A-S07 Lecture (Stoll)

Spring 2006

SOAN0340A-S06 Lecture (Stoll)

Spring 2004

SOAN0340A-S04 Lecture (Stoll)
SOAN0340B-S04 Lecture (Stoll)