HSTAS 245 A: Human Rights in Asia

Spring 2026
View in MyPlan View in Time Schedule
Meeting:
MW 10:30am - 12:20pm
SLN:
15114
Section Type:
Lecture
Joint Sections:
JSIS A 245 A
THIS COURSE IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REGISTRATION BY AUDITORS OR ACCESS STUDENTS.
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

Asian states have ratified a large number of international human rights conventions. However, the violation of human rights and unequal application of and access to the law or other protections are common across the region. Citizens and migrants face arbitrary detention, torture, disappearance and death at the hands of state, para-state, and other actors. With an initial introduction to the history and philosophical underpinnings of human rights in global and Asian history, the course proceeds immediately to studying four in-depth case studies of historical human rights crises in India, China, Hong Kong and Myanmar.

PDF of Syllabus here. 

Grades:

  • Ungraded, anonymous weekly surveys: 10%
  • Essay 1 (due April 17): 20%
  • Essay 2 (due May 1): 20%
  • Essay 3 (due May 15): 20%
  • Essay 4 (due June 7): 20%
  • Final online exam, June 8: 10%

This course allows the use of LLM and generative AI tools, but within very specific guidelines, as found in this document. 

Catalog Description:
Introduction to recent and ongoing human rights issues in South, Southeast, and East Asia. Focuses on how human rights politics have played out in domestic political arenas. Provides exposure to views/insights into the historical context in which human rights claims, abuses, and debates arise. Offered: jointly with JSIS A 245.
GE Requirements Met:
Diversity (DIV)
Social Sciences (SSc)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
April 7, 2026 - 7:39 am