School Of Social SciencesInequality and Human RightsWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 400673.2
Discipline: SOCIOLOGY
Student Contribution Band: 1
Level: 1
Credit Points: 10
Equivalent Units
101573 - Human Rights, Peace and Development
About this Unit
In 2010 this unit replaced by 101573 - Human Rights, Peace and Development. This unit will consider the nature and historical development of the social inequalities of wealth, income, status and power, both within and between different social groups, territories and nation states. It will focus upon the ways in which disparities of economic status result in disparities of social, economic and political power. This examination of the historical development of inequality provides a basis for understanding changing conceptions of human rights culminating in contemporary ideas of human rights as proclaimed in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The philosophy underpinning this internationally binding document highlights the uniquely human status of world citizenship. Moreover, the discussion of human rights and citizenship brings to the fore continuing philosophical debates as to the meaning of being human and the treatment of human beings. These issues are based upon the concepts of equity and equality that are often misunderstood and as such, misused to justify the establishment and maintenance of social inequalities.