Final, papers
I now have responded to (according to my records) every electronically submitted paper. I've got about 12 dead-tree papers that need to be returned. If you submitted a paper via email and you haven't heard back, send me a quick note with a) the date you originally sent it, and b) another copy of the paper as attachment.
With all that aside, here are some sample questions for the final exam. Remember--the inclass final will have 3 questions very similar to some of these. You will choose two to write about.
1) Does the distinction between "negative" and "positive" rights have any signifigance for human rights? Consider carefully the arguments of one theorist who thinks it does and one theorist who thinks it doesn't while constructing your answer.
2) What is the "cross-cultural" approach to human rights? Does it constitute an effective "middle path" between universalism and cultural relativism? Consider at least one argument that it does succeed on those terms, and one argument that it doesn't.
3) Now that we've had a whole quarter to look at the ideas and theories surrounding human rights, let's return to our three critical perspectives on rights--Burke/Bentham/Marx. Which of these three offers the most compelling critique of the idea of human rights? Give the strongest version of the critique you can. Does it succeed?
4) Why, according to Shue, must duties be part of any theory of rights? Would Ignatieff agree with Shue? Why or why not? Which one has the more compelling approach to this issue?
(note--if this question comes up, I'll expect a fairly precise answer to the first part of the question)
5) What is the biggest problem in constructing a theoretical justification for the idea of human rights? Be as precise as possible, and try to show how this problem plagues at least two theories from this course.
6) What is the most compelling justification for at theory of human rights you've seen? Again, be as precise as possible, giving concrete reasons why this is stronger than other approaches.
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There you go. Remember, the take-home version of the midterm will be distributed, via blog and paper, on the evening of June 1st. I hope you can all make it to the last class. I've really enjoyed our time together this quarter, and I appreciate all your feedback, effort, ideas, and hard work.
posted by David Watkins @ 8:01 PM
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