The course develops a critical understanding of the doctrine of human rights by examining its philosophical foundations, normative content and relevance within the contemporary geopolitical order. Students learn to reconstruct the historical evolution of the idea of human rights, from its earliest philosophical origins to its most recent forms of international codification.
The course enables students to distinguish among the main categories of human rights, assess their theoretical justifications and compare the major critiques formulated from different political, cultural and philosophical perspectives. Through the analysis of key texts and contemporary debates, students gain the competence to interpret the role of human rights in political conflicts, international relations and the decision‑making processes of global institutions.