Ideas about race and ethnicity influence how we answer questions about who am I, who are we, how we treat difference. We examine the how and why of this influence, and its consequences for living in diverse societies. What shapes racial and ethnic relations? How are social inequalities and political conflicts organized along racial and/or ethnic lines? How do other categories of difference (class, sexuality, gender, indigeneity) intersect with race and ethnicity? How can civic conflict be mitigated in the context of plurality and diversity? We examine these questions by focusing on race and ethnicity in Oceania and elsewhere.
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Analyse how racial and ethnic identities are socially constructed
2. Conduct research on the impact of racial and ethnic inequalities on individuals and groups in the Pacific and elsewhere
3. Analyse qualitative and quantitative data related to racial and ethnic inequalities in the Pacific
4. Formulate alternative ways to consider racial and ethnic relations
5. Collaboratively reflect on personal interviews and scholarly readings in relation to key course ideas
- Lecturer: Andreas Kopf
Human Rights continue to be a contested and debated phenomenon in the international arena. This course introduces students to some of the key political debates relating to human rights (primarily focusing on universalism and cultural relativism) while also addressing key concerns regarding the applicability of human rights norms in regions such as Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific. Aspects of international law regarding the acceptance of international instruments in an era of an increasing tension between realist and liberal internationalist approaches to world affairs will be discussed in relation to Pacific Island states as will the proposed development of a regional mechanism for human rights. Human rights as a concept and practical reality will be deconstructed as students are encouraged to explore the various generations of rights and assess their applicability and relevance to individuals, groups, states and regions.