SYLLABI FOR POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES (THROUGH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF OPEN LEARNING) EXAMINATION OF PUNJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH

OUTLINES OF TESTS, SYLLABI AND COURSES OF READING FOR
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES (THROUGH
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF OPEN LEARNING) FOR THE EXAMINATION OF
2011.
TITLE OF THE PAPER EXAM.
MARKS
INT. ASS. TOTAL
MARKS
Paper I Fundamentals of Human Rights and
Duties
80 20 100
Paper II Human Rights Theory and Practice:
International Scenario
80 20 100
Paper III Human Rights Theory and Practice:
The Indian Context
80 20 100
Paper IV Project Work 100
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PAPER: PROJECT REPORT AND EVALUATORS
1. Marks for written papers : 80 and Maximum Marks for Project Report : 100 (80
for the Project Report and 20 for Report Presentation)
2. The emphasis of this course is not to test the legal knowledge/accuracy of the
candidates but to asses their basic understanding of Human Right and Duties.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. The marks allotted to the written assignments received for each paper may be
treated as the internal assessment in the three theory papers (Papers I-III)
2. In the case of Paper IV (Project Work), the maximum marks for the Report
would be 80 and the 20 marks allotted to Report Presentation will be in lieu of
the internal assessment.
PAPER I: FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PAPER-SETTER AND THE CANDIDATES
1. In all, NINE questions are to be set.
2. The first question covering the entire syllabus is compulsory comprising 10 short
answer questions, all of which have to be attempted. (2x10=20 marks)
3. The remaining essay type questions (Questions 2-9) must comprise Two questions
from each unit with internal choice. (4x15=60 marks)
4. The paper-setter must keep in mind that the emphasis of this course is not to test
the legal knowledge/accuracy of the candidates but to assess their basic
understanding of Human Rights and Duties
Objectives: The paper seeks a) to introduce the students to the basic concepts of human
rights and duties; b) to acquaint them with the evolutionary and theoretical perspectives
on human rights; c) to familiarize them about the development debate; and d) to inform
them about the general problems relating to human rights.
UNIT I
Understanding Concepts of Human Rights and Duties
- Basic concepts: rights, duties
- Nature of rights: absolute/reasonable; universal/relativistic; discriminatory/justifiably
differential; Linkage with core concepts of liberty, equality, dignity, fraternity and
justice
- Classification of rights and duties: Rights: moral, social, cultural, economic, civil and
political; Duties: towards self, family, community, society, nation/state, humankind and
mother earth
- Interrelationship of rights and duties – areas of harmony and conflict
UNIT II
Historical Evolution and Theoretical Perspectives
- Historical evolution: Tracing the history of the development of the concept of
Human Rights prior to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948).
- Perspectives: Natural Rights
Legal/Positivist
Liberal
Marxist
Sociological
UNIT III
Human Rights and the Development Debate
- The development discourse: modernization and globalization
- Alternative models/critiques of development: Gandhian
Environmental Sustainability
Feminist
Neo-Marxist (Dependency)
UNIT IV
General Problems Relating to Human Rights
Poverty and illiteracy
Discrimination (caste, class, gender)
Ecological degradation
Social and Cultural problems: patriarchy, female feticide, domestic violence
ESSENTIAL READINGS
Baxi, Upendra (2002) The Future of Human Rights. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Dube, M. P. and Neeta Bora, (ed.) (2000) Perspectives on Human Rights New Delhi:
Anamika Publishers.
Sanajaoba, N. (2000) Human Rights in the New Millennium. New Delhi: Manas
Publications.
Vadkar, Praveen, (2000) Concepts, Theories and Practice of Human Rights. New Delhi:
Rajat Publications.
FURTHER READINGS
Parekh, P. H. (2005/6) Human Rights Year-Book – 2005, New Delhi: Universal Law
Publishing Co.
Rehman, M. M. et al. (2000) Human Rights and Human Development: Concepts and
Contexts. New Delhi: Manak Publications.
Zarsky, Lyuba (ed.) (2002) Human Rights and the Environment. London: Earthscan Pub.
PAPER II: HUMAN RIGHTS THEORY AND PRACTICE: INTERNATIONAL
SCENARIO
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PAPER-SETTER AND THE CANDIDATES
1. In all, NINE questions are to be set.
2. The first question covering the entire syllabus is compulsory comprising 10 short
answer questions, all of which have to be attempted. (2x10=20 marks)
3. The remaining essay type questions (Questions 2-9) must comprising Two
questions from each unit with internal choice. (4x15=60 marks)
4. The paper-setter must keep in mind that the emphasis of this course is not to test
the legal knowledge/accuracy of the candidates but to assess their basic
understanding of Human Rights and Duties
Objectives: The paper provides the description of a) international standards;
b) international mechanisms; and c) human rights practice in the international context.
UNIT I
International Standards – I
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
- International Covenant on Social, Cultural and Economic Rights (1966)
- Optional Protocols
UNIT II
International Standards – II
- International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
(ICERD)
- Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
- Convention on Rights of Child (CRC)
- Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
UNIT III
International Mechanisms
- The UN Commission
- The European Commission
- The American Commission
UNIT IV
Practice With Regard to Various Conventions
- Women and Children
- Sustainable Development: Preserving Environment and Culture
- Terrorism
- Rights of Indigenous People
ESSENTIAL READINGS
Alston, Phillip, ed., The United Nations and Human Rights: A Critical Appraisal (Oxford:
Clarendon Press, 1992).
Langley, Winstone E., Encyclopedia of Human Rights Issues since 1945 (London:
Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 1999).
Verma, R.S., Human Rights: Burning Issues of the World, Volumes I, II and III (Delhi:
Radiant Publishers, 2000).
FURTHER READINGS
Lauterpacht, Hersch, An International Bill of the Rights of Man (New York: Columbia
University Press, 1945).
Morsink, Johannes, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Origins, Drafting and
Intent (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1999).
Vijapur, A.P., The United Nations at Fifty: Studies in Human Rights (New Delhi: South
Asian Publishers, 1996)
PAPER III: HUMAN RIGHTS THEORY AND PRACTICE: INDIAN CONTEXT
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PAPER-SETTER AND THE CANDIDATES
1. In all, NINE questions are to be set.
2. The first question covering the entire syllabus is compulsory comprising 10 short
answer questions, all of which have to be attempted. (2x10=20 marks)
3. The remaining essay type questions (Questions 2-9) must comprising Two
questions from each unit with internal choice. (4x15=60 marks)
4. The paper-setter must keep in mind that the emphasis of this course is not to test
the legal knowledge/accuracy of the candidates but to assess their basic
understanding of Human Rights and Duties
Objectives: The paper a) traces the origin and development of human rights in India; b)
discusses the constitutional-legal framework in India; c) describes the enforcement and
redressal agencies; and d) analyzes the human rights issues in the Indian context.
UNIT I
Origin and Development of Human Rights in India
- Rights Discourse in Indian National Movement
- Making of the Constitution and Human Rights Concerns
- State of Human Rights and Duties in Contemporary India
UNIT II
Human Rights and Constitutional–Legal Framework in India
- Fundamental Rights and Duties
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Protection of Human Rights Act: National Human Rights Commission, State Human
Rights Commissions
UNIT III
Enforcement and Redressal Mechanism
- Role of Judiciary: Independence of judiciary, judicial review, judicial activism
- Civil Society Initiatives/Safeguards of Human Rights
UNIT 1V
Human Rights Movement in India: Selected Issues
- Women and Children
- Bonded labor and unorganized labor
- Terrorism
- Environment and Sustainable Development
- Rights of the Communities (Minorities and Ethnic Groups)
- Rights of the Aged, Disabled and the Infirm
ESSENTIAL READINGS:
Austin, Granville (2000) Working of a Democratic Constitution: The Indian Experience,
New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Kannabiran, K. G. (2003) The Wages of Impunity: Power, Justice and Human Rights,
New Delhi: Orient Longman.
Ray, Arun, (2004) National Human Rights Commission in India: Formation, Functioning
and Future Prospects, New Delhi: Atlantic.
Sathe S. P., (2004) Judicial Activism in India, New Delhi: OUP.
FURTHER READINGS:
Baxi, Upendra (2002) The Future of Human Rights, New Delhi: OUP.
Kothari, Smitu and Harsh Sethi (ed.) (1991) Rethinking Human Rights: Challenge for
theory and Action, Lokayan, Delhi.
PAPER IV – PROJECT WORK
Maximum Marks = 100 Marks
Project Report = 80 marks
Report Presentation = 20 marks
NOTE: The emphasis of this course is not to test the legal knowledge/accuracy of the
candidates but to assess their basic understanding of Human Right and Duties
Each candidate is required to take up a project based on fieldwork, which will carry 100
marks.
Candidates have the liberty to select any topic related to human rights issues, violations,
enforcement etc., and may conduct the research/fieldwork in the geographical area of
their choice.
For successful completion of the diploma, each candidate is required to submit a typed
project report on a given date and present the same before an examiner at the end of the
course.
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