Teaching

1. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students are able to :

             i.       Describe an understanding of the main concepts and theories in human rights.

            ii.       Explain the development of human rights protection  

           iii.     Analyze various human rights issues and the roles, contributions and limitations of different    human rights institutions and advocacy.

Synopsis:
This course is an introduction to international human rights and is one of the subjects offered in the programme’s Diplomacy and International Relations package. It begins with discussion on the concepts and theories of human rights before exploring the issue on the protection of human rights in the pre- and post-establishment of the United Nations (UN). The UN era is particularly significant as it provides many human rights protection covering various subject of international law. Focus will also be given on the limitations on these protections as well as the discourse on individual and group rights such as the freedom of speech, freedom from torture and ill-treatment in detention, and the rights of women, children and refugees. In addition, the course will also discuss the role and contribution of international non-governmental organization.


Topics :

1.0  Human Rights: An Overview

2.0  Human Rights Protection Pre-United Nations establishment Post-United Nations establishment UN Charter-based organs UN treaty-based organs

3.0 Limitations In Human Rights Protection ·       Derogation ·       Reservations

4.0  Civil, Political, Economic, Social And Cultural Rights Civil and political rights Economic and social rights Cultural rights

5.0   Vulnerable Persons And Groups’ Human Rights ·       Women’s rights ·       Children’s rights ·       Rights of refugees

6.0   Human Rights Non-Governmental Organizations: An Alternative International Red Crescent Amnesty International Others

7.0  Human Rights In Malaysia: An Overview ·       SUHAKAM ·       Other NGOs ·       Human Rights Violations ·       Actions taken

8.0  Religion and Human Rights Issues ·         Religious Human Rights in Global Perspective  ·         Religion and Contemporary Human Rights Issues

9.0  ASEAN and Human Rights ·        ASEAN and Its Human Rights System: An Overview ·        ASEAN Human Rights Declaration of 2012 ·     ASEAN and Human Rights : Challenges and Prospects

Student activities in class ( Human Rights Class)
Today, the students have organized a talk on "Is religion compatible to human rights?" , and there are two opposing groups. This session was moderated by Ain and Mawi, with 8 other students as the members in the panel. 
Both had argued their case, to the "pro" group, they believe that religion is compatible since several religions have shown huge importance and emphasis on rights, like right to life, equality, freedom from torture as can be seen in Islam, Christianity. Whereas the other group, the "cons" , believe that religion impede or supress human rights citing various examples like Hudud in Islam (amputing person's body parts violates their rights, polygamy, caste system which treat groups diferently). Let hear what they say more about this...




2. INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Course Learning Outcomes

 Upon completion of the course, students are able to

i. Identify the basic assumptions, concepts and questions of empirical nature in  Political Science.

ii. Distinguish the different approaches in the study of political phenomena. 

iii. Apply logical and critical thinking in the study of political concepts and institutions.

Synopsis:

This is the most fundamental course in the field of International Affairs. It is essential to study this topic of political science in order to expose to the knowledge and thinking of political scholars and actors and to clearly understand what is actually means by politics, and what is political science. This course introduces to the students how the subject has evolved and expanded. This is an introductory course in political science where various dimensions of politics will be explored – starting from its early development in the era of ancient Greek to the present. Among the topics to be discussed are political theories and philosophies, government and state administration, political institutions and international relations.

Topics :

1.0        Introduction  ·         What Is Politics? ·         Development Of Politics And Political Science ·         Political Science As A Field Of Study

2.0        Man And State          ·         Man and state ·         Theories of state ·         Political obligation and state

3.0        Government And Administration    ·         What is a government? ·         Types of government?  Monarchy Autocracy Totalitarian Democracy ·         The doctrine of separation of powers ·         Bureaucracy and administration

4.0        Constitutional Law And Governance ·     What is constitution? ·     Characteristics of  constitutions ·     The role and function of  constitutions

5.0        Political Systems ·         Democratic political system Presidential system Parliamentary system ·         Federal and unitary political system ·         Communist and socialist political system

6.0        Political Participation           ·         Political party ·         Interest groups ·         Election

7.0        Political Ideologies   ·         What is  political ideology? ·         Classification of political ideology: Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism Conservatism and Neo-Conservatism Socialism and Communism  Fascism Nationalism

8.0        Islam And Politics     ·         Islamic perspectives on politics and administration ·         Islamic philosophy of politics ·         Principles of Islamic administration ·         Islam and democracy

9.0      Politics And International Relations ·         The emergence of the international system ·         World Wars and balance of power ·         Politics of developing countries ·         International institutions and organizations ·         International relations and foreign policy