Since the adoption of UDHR in 1948, human rights have become an integral part of world politics. As the social phenomena that involve generate growing implications, scholars adopt different perspectives to tackle the character and pattern of human rights politics. The major objective of this seminar is to familiarize students with social scientific study of human rights. In additional to normative contemplation and philosophical debate, human rights could, and should be analyzed via empiricism. The course will be divided into three sections. We will begin by introducing background knowledge about human rights, including the definition, scope, and philosophical reflection. Secondly, we will discuss the scientific approach to human rights study and how this approach is conducted. The last part of this seminar consists a variety of topics noticed by political scientists. Important issues such as regime type, foreign aid, the effectiveness of international law, and the role of advocacy groups will be studied in detail.

Since the adoption of UDHR in 1948, human rights have become an integral part of world politics. As the social phenomenon that involves generating growing implications, schools adopt different perspectives to tackle the character and pattern of human rights politics. The major objective of this seminar is to familiarize students with social scientific study of human rights. In additional to normal contemplation and philosophical debate, human rights could, and should be analyzed via empiricism. The course will be divided into three sections. We will begin by introducing background knowledge about human rights, including the definition, scope, and philosophical reflection. Secondly, we will discuss the scientific approach to human rights study and how this approach is conducted. The last part of this seminar consists a variety of topics noticed by political scientists. Important issues such as regime type, foreign aid, the effectiveness of international law, and the role of advocacy groups will be studied in detail.

 Donnelly, Jack (2003) Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, 2d. ed.. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. (Shown as Donnelly 2003 in the schedule)
 Simmons, Beth (2009) Mobilizing for Human Rights: International Law in Domestic Politics. Columbia University Press. (Shown as Simmons 2009 in the schedule)
 Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink (1998) Activists beyond Borders: Advocacy Networks in International Politics (Ithaca: Cornell University Press).
 Claude E. Welch, Jr.(2001) Protecting Human Rights in Africa: Roles and Strategies of Nongovernmental Organizations (University of Pennsylvania Press).
 Emilie M. Hafner-Burton (2009) Forced to Be Good: Why Trade Agreements Boost Human Rights (Ithaca: Cornell University Press).
 Christian Davenport (2010) State Repression and the Domestic Democratic Peace (Cambridge University Press).
 Todd Landman (2005) Protecting Human Rights: A Comparative Study (Georgetown University Press).
 Ann Marie, Clark (2001) Diplomacy of Conscience: Amnesty International and Changing Human Rights Norms, Princeton University Press.
 Thomas Risse et al. (2013)The Persistent Power of Human Rights: From Commitment to Compliance(Cambridge University Press).
 Thomas Risse et al. (1999)The Power of Human Rights: International Norms and Domestic Change(Cambridge University Press).
 Kathryn Sikkink (2011)The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Prosecutions Are Changing World Politics (W. W. Norton & Company).

 Donnelly, Jack (2003) Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, 2d. ed.. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. (Shown as Donnelly 2003 in the schedule)
 Simmons, Beth (2009) Mobilizing for Human Rights: International Law in Domestic Politics. Columbia University Press. (Shown as Simmons 2009 in the schedule)
 Margaret E. Keck and Kathryn Sikkink (1998) Activists beyond Borders: Advocacy Networks in International Politics (Ithaca: Cornell University Press).
 Claude E. Welch, Jr.(2001) Protecting Human Rights in Africa: Roles and Strategies of Nongovernmental Organizations (University of Pennsylvania Press).
 Emilie M. Hafner-Burton (2009) Forced to Be Good: Why Trade Agreements Boost Human Rights (Ithaca: Cornell University Press).
 Christian Davenport (2010) State Repression and the Domestic Democratic Peace (Cambridge University Press).
 Todd Landman (2005) Protecting Human Rights: A Comparative Study (Georgetown University Press).
 Ann Marie, Clark (2001) Diplomacy of Conscience: Amnesty International and Changing Human Rights Norms, Princeton University Press.
 Thomas Risse et al. (2013)The Persistent Power of Human Rights: From Commitment to Compliance(Cambridge University Press).
 Thomas Risse et al. (1999)The Power of Human Rights: International Norms and Domestic Change(Cambridge University Press).
 Kathryn Sikkink (2011)The Justice Cascade: How Human Rights Prosecutions Are Changing World Politics (W. W. Norton & Company).