Bearing Witness: Human Rights and Global Literature (947Q3A)

30 credits, Level 7 (Masters)

Autumn teaching

This module looks at how human rights and their abuse are portrayed in literature from around the world. By studying these texts and their historical contexts, we’ll explore big questions like:

  • why is it so hard to narrate trauma?
  • what are the ethics of telling someone else’s story?
  • how do reading, writing, and witnessing connect to politics?
  • how do issues like gender and intimacy shape the way pain is represented?

The books and stories we’ll read cover global topics—from Vietnam and Sri Lanka to Mexico and beyond. They tackle ideas tied to major events like Apartheid, the Holocaust, the "War on Terror," and environmental destruction.

We’ll start by focusing on how different cultures and ideas connect, then dig deeper into how these texts are shaped by their specific historical moments. The module is about understanding how literature helps us think about human rights, suffering, and justice in a global context.

 

 

Teaching

100%: Seminar

Assessment

100%: Coursework (Essay, Portfolio)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 300 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 278 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2024/25. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.