F1HH 5080 - Art and Human Rights: Notions, Actors and Approaches

This course is an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Art and Human Rights, through an exploration of the multi-faceted relationship between the two. Aspects of this relationship are analyzed, explored, and nurtured by different actors, such as academic institutions, international organizations, artists, activists and civil society organizations. The course will present their practices and approaches, as well as the legal and non-legal notions and issues at the core of the encounter between Art and Human Rights.

Transversal issues such as dignity, multiculturalism, collectivity, reconciliation, and identity etc, will be questioned within four distinct umbrella bodies of practice where Human Rights are hosted: International Human Rights Law, Social Justice, International Humanitarian Law, and Transitional Justice. Practitioners in the fields of, inter alia, cultural rights, the protection of cultural heritage, protection of artists, artivism, the restitution of cultural objects, curation, will be invited to intervene in the course. Their perspectives and practices are at the start and center of our reflection on Human Rights through Art. The students will be introduced to “vignettes” of current issues in the fields of interest.

Learning Outcomes :

1. The students will acquire knowledge of the legal framework relevant to the interactions of art and human rights
2. The students will acquire knowledge of the professional fields tackling the discussion of the relationship between art and human rights
3. The students will learn to question traditionally normativized notions
4. The students will be exposed to and learn to think in terms of multidisciplinarity
5. The students will develop presentation skills

Professional Skills :

The students will develop analytical, synthetical and presentation skills.
They will learn how to navigate different fields of study and adapting vocabulary and communication to the audience.

Fiana GANTHERET

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence: 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 3,5 hours a week / 42 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

The course will not give a comprehensive overview of the normative frameworks applicable to the fields under scrutiny – International Human Rights Law, Social Justice, International Humanitarian Law, and Transitional Justice – but will provide introduction to the definition and history of legal and non-legal concepts central to each session. Students should therefore familiarize themselves with notions and mechanisms in these fields through the introductory material indicated in the course outline.

Spring 2025-2026

All assessment – methodology and topics – will be discussed during session 2 and/or individually with each student.

Oral Presentations (30%):
Each student will give a short oral presentation (10 minutes) on a piece of art (any medium) dealing with (a) human rights issue(s). The presentation shall include a short introduction to the author of the work and their vision as well as the field to which the notions touched upon in the artwork pertain.
The presentation shall underline any relevant discussion surrounding the artwork, its production and its historical/political context.
Finally, and most importantly, the student shall present to the class their own interpretation of and reflection upon, the artwork.
Clarity of presentation and ability to identify and present notions relevant to the subject of the artwork and the course will be assessed. Depending on number of students, there may be two presentations per class.

Written paper (40%):
Each student will provide a written paper on a topic or an artwork relevant to Art and Human Rights covered – or not – by the course.
The paper, 10 pages maximum, double-spaced 12 pt, shall contain:
- A clear explanation of the relevance of the applicable normative framework to the topic/artwork of interest;
- definitions of core notions and issues;
- at least three references to textbooks and articles.
The paper will have to be ready by session 7-8 (30/03/2026).

Special assessment (30%):
Students will choose to work individually or in groups to create a podcast episode designed to portray a practitioner in the field of art and human rights and the practitioner's field of work, in the area of their choice. The podcast can either conduct an interview of the practitioner, or describes their work, with a focus on either a specific artwork and/or their body of work as a whole.
The podcast episode will have to be ready by sessions 11-12 (27/04/2026).

Participation in class
Participation in class is very important in this course as it gives space for discussions about our understanding and elaboration on concepts at the intersection of various fields. It will be expected that students ask questions in relation to the course and the presentations, give their opinion and interpretation, and seek clarification if needed.

Oral feedback will be provided to the class on oral presentations so as to benefit the whole class.
Feedback and advice will be provided individually through email or discussions before or after the sessions.
Papers and podcast episodes will be assessed and marked following submission date.