Explore

Human Rights for Open Societies

Approx. 14 hours to complete

Save Course

Go to Course

Course Summary

This course explores the history and evolution of human rights, and their importance in modern society. Through case studies and real-life examples, students will learn about the challenges faced by human rights defenders and the ways in which they can be protected.

Key Learning Points

Gain a comprehensive understanding of human rights and their historical context
Learn about the challenges faced by human rights defenders and organizations
Explore the different ways in which human rights can be protected and promoted

Learning Outcomes

Understand the history and evolution of human rights
Recognize the challenges faced by human rights defenders and organizations
Develop strategies for protecting and promoting human rights

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

No prior knowledge of human rights is required
A willingness to engage in critical thinking and analysis

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced course
Video lectures
Case studies and real-life examples
Quizzes and assessments

Similar Courses

International Human Rights Law
Human Rights and International Criminal Law
Human Rights for Open Societies

Related Education Paths

Notable People in This Field

Malala Yousafzai
Desmond Tutu
Kofi Annan

Related Books

Description

Human rights are under pressure in many places across the globe. Peaceful protests are violently quashed. Voting is tampered with. And minorities are often excluded from decision-making. All of this threatens the ideal of an open society in which each of us can be free and participate equally. A solid protection of human rights is needed for an open society to exist and to flourish. But it is often an uphill battle to work towards that ideal. Equip yourself and learn more about what human rights are and how they work.

In this course, we will introduce you to one of the world’s most intricate human rights systems: the European Convention on Human Rights. You will see when and how people can turn to the European Court of Human Rights to complain about human rights violations. You will learn how the Court tries to solve many of the difficult human rights dilemmas of today. We will look, amongst other things, at the freedom of expression and demonstration, the right to vote, and the prohibition of discrimination. And we will address the rights of migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. And, of course, we will see whether it is possible to restrict rights and if so under what conditions. You will even encounter watchdogs and ice cream in this course. We invite you to follow us on a journey of discovery into the European Convention!

Outline

Introduction to the ECHR
Open societies and the ECHR
The foundations of the ECHR
The admissibility requirements
The birth of the ECHR
The European Convention on Human Rights
The institutions of the Council of Europe
Articles 34 and 35 ECHR
Procedure in Strasbourg and execution of judgments
The linkages between the ECHR and an open society
Where to find rights in the ECHR?
The admissibility checklist of the ECtHR applied
Test your knowledge on the foundations of the ECHR

General principles
How does the ECtHR consider a fundamental rights case?
The principles and methods of interpretation
Categories of rights in the ECHR and possibilities for limitation
Conditions for restriction of ECHR rights
The intensity of review of restrictions and the margin of appreciation doctrine
Additional reading on principles and methods of interpretation
Positive and negative obligations
How to interpret the ECHR in a concrete case?
Determining States' obligations in practice
The justification of restrictions - a practical exercise
The impact of the margin of appreciation in concrete cases
Test your knowledge on the consideration of fundamental rights cases by the ECtHR

Human rights and democracy
The protection of human rights in a democratic society
Political parties
Human rights in transitions to democracy
The right to vote and the right to stand for election
Article 11 ECHR - the freedom of assembly and association
Restricting the freedom of association
Test your knowledge on the connection between human rights and democracy

Insiders and outsiders: non-discrimination, vulnerable groups, migrants and asylum seekers
The ECHR and the universal protection of human rights
Non-discrimination
Vulnerable groups
The rights of migrants and asylum seekers under the ECHR
Article 14 ECHR - the prohibition of discrimination
Suspect grounds of discrimination and the very weighty reasons test
Grounds of discrimination - a practical exercise
Test your knowledge on the inclusion and exclusion of vulnerable groups, migrants and asylum seekers under the ECHR

Freedom of expression and public protest
Freedom of expression in a democratic society
The ECHR and the role of the media
The freedom of public protest
Article 10 ECHR - the freedom of expression
The importance of the freedom of expression in the political arena
ECHR criteria for protection of the media
ECHR criteria for freedom of expression for politicians

Closure
Final Survey
The case of Jacob Scholten

Summary of User Reviews

Discover a comprehensive course on human rights in this online program by Coursera. Users have praised the course for being informative, engaging, and thought-provoking. The program is designed to provide a thorough understanding of human rights and their practical implications.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course is praised for its informative and engaging content.

Pros from User Reviews

The course is well-structured and easy to follow.
The instructors are knowledgeable and engaging.
The course provides a comprehensive understanding of human rights.
The program is suitable for both beginners and advanced learners.
The course offers practical examples and case studies to illustrate human rights concepts.

Cons from User Reviews

The course can be challenging for those with no prior knowledge of human rights.
Some users found the course content to be too theoretical.
The program requires a significant time commitment.
The course may not be suitable for those looking for a more in-depth analysis of specific human rights issues.
Some users found the quizzes and assignments to be too difficult.

Recommended for you

Leading Innovation in Arts and Culture

One of the toughest challenges for any leader is getting traction for new ideas. Winning support can be a struggle. As a result, powerful new ideas often get stuck....

Save Course

European Business Law: Understanding the Fundamentals

The European Union is one of the world’s largest and most important economies. At the end of this course series, you will have a basic understanding of how to:...

Save Course

What does it mean to identify as Transgender or Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC)?

In the last decade transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals have become increasingly visible in our families, culture, and public discourse....

Save Course

Sound Engineering Level 1 - Beginners

Learn the basics of Sound Engineering in a "step by step", easy to understand way Have a look at some reviews about Sound Engineering Level 1-Beginners...

Save Course