Ishay, Micheline R., The History of Human Rights: From Ancient Times to the Globalization Era (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008)
Choose two of these four debate topics and give the three strongest arguments for and against. You may draw on any sources you wish, including readings, but I am most interested in your demonstrated capacity to make a case, including for a point of view you may not yourself hold.
Your entire paper – the pro and con sections for both of the questions you choose – should aim for a length of no more than 1500 words, or approximately six double spaced pages.
1. “Hate speech,” which is aimed at a particular ethnicity, religion or gender, should be protected in most circumstances by U.S. and international law.
2. The death penalty is warranted for the most horrific crimes and should be permissible under U.S. and international law.
3. Non-citizens should have the right to cast votes in elections of the countries in which they are resident.
4. While the state should not engage in discriminatory acts against women or gay people, this should not extend to the rights of families and religious groups, whose cultural and religious practices should be respected.
