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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Human Rights for Open Societies by Utrecht University

4.8
stars
494 ratings

About the Course

Human rights are under pressure in many places across the globe. Peaceful protests are violently quashed. Voting is tampered with. And minorities are often excluded from decision-making. All of this threatens the ideal of an open society in which each of us can be free and participate equally. A solid protection of human rights is needed for an open society to exist and to flourish. But it is often an uphill battle to work towards that ideal. Equip yourself and learn more about what human rights are and how they work. In this course, we will introduce you to one of the world’s most intricate human rights systems: the European Convention on Human Rights. You will see when and how people can turn to the European Court of Human Rights to complain about human rights violations. You will learn how the Court tries to solve many of the difficult human rights dilemmas of today. We will look, amongst other things, at the freedom of expression and demonstration, the right to vote, and the prohibition of discrimination. And we will address the rights of migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable groups. And, of course, we will see whether it is possible to restrict rights and if so under what conditions. You will even encounter watchdogs and ice cream in this course. We invite you to follow us on a journey of discovery into the European Convention!...

Top reviews

DM

Jun 10, 2017

Very good to find out the basics. What are human rights, what they represent and in which way we should interpret them. Also, it has an easy language so you don't need law school or other studies.

SK

Dec 6, 2020

In this course of Europeen Convenction of human rights i learned valuable basic knowledge that open our eyes about our rights and how to defend . That we need in our life . Thanks a lot

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1 - 25 of 118 Reviews for Human Rights for Open Societies

By Dorin C M

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Jun 11, 2017

Very good to find out the basics. What are human rights, what they represent and in which way we should interpret them. Also, it has an easy language so you don't need law school or other studies.

By Shaima I

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May 31, 2020

I didn't know much about human rights when I started this course. This course is really good for someone who doesn't have a sound knowledge in this field. The contents were well placed(you will find it in the schedule for every week) . It was mostly about the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) which I believe is relevant to all. I had no difficulty in understanding the lectures. It was all explained in simple English. The reading materials weren't lengthy. Quizzes were easy and was based to a critical problems concerning human rights .Was an excellent and insightful course. I could complete it in less than five weeks.

By María I P

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Oct 18, 2017

It is an excellent opportunity to learn about human rights and acknowledge its importance within a democracy. The lectures are thorough, supported by materials of great quality, as well as experienced intructors.

By Johan A

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Jun 19, 2017

An excellent introduction to Human Rights in an inclusive and Open Society. I have learned a lot about the basic rights that ALL human beings have irrespective of the countries they reside in. All states have an obligation to ensure that those human rights are protected at all cost and in the best interests of each and every citizen and non-citizen!

By Daria S

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May 11, 2020

As a law student this course was very interesting and relevant to my studying field. The knowledge I have got during 6 weeks definitely will be useful for my career. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this course!

By Shabana G

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Jun 19, 2017

This has been a great introduction to the European Convention and Court of Human Rights. It has really helped deepen understanding of the treaty and how the court functions.

By Tofail A

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Sep 27, 2019

Who knows or care about the UNHDR? I care and everyone might have care about it. I am thankful for the access to learn more about it....

By Mustafa H

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Apr 4, 2017

The course is very good, but the only problem is that some of the terms are left without a clear definition and examples of diversity, which makes understanding some terms somewhat difficult for non-specialists in law.

By Kaat A

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May 27, 2023

I recently had the privilege of participating in the "Human Rights for Open Societies" course, and I must say that it was an incredibly enriching and eye-opening experience. This course, which focused on exploring the fundamental principles and contemporary issues in the field of human rights, exceeded all my expectations and left an indelible impact on my understanding of global justice and equality.

From the moment I enrolled, I was impressed by the course's comprehensive curriculum and the expertise of the instructors. They were not only highly knowledgeable but also passionate about human rights, which made the learning process all the more engaging. The course was structured in a way that allowed for a deep dive into various aspects of human rights, covering historical context, international frameworks, and practical applications.

One of the standout features of the course was the emphasis on critical thinking and interactive discussions. Rather than being a one-sided lecture series, it encouraged active participation and provided ample opportunities to engage with fellow learners. Through case studies, and thought-provoking assignments, I was able to gain a well-rounded perspective on human rights issues from different cultural, social, and political contexts.

Furthermore, the course was brilliantly supplemented with a wide range of learning resources. From meticulously curated readings and multimedia materials to thoughtfully designed quizzes and assessments, every aspect of the course was designed to enhance comprehension and retention. The instructors also incorporated real-life examples and case studies, enabling us to grasp the complexities of human rights challenges faced by individuals and communities worldwide.

Beyond the theoretical aspects, the course also emphasized practical applications and encouraged us to explore avenues for activism and positive change. It provided insights into advocacy strategies, awareness campaigns, and practical approaches to address human rights violations at local, national, and global levels. This hands-on approach empowered me to think critically about my role as an advocate for justice and motivated me to take action in my own community.

They fostered a supportive and inclusive learning environment where everyone's perspectives were valued and respected.In conclusion, the "Human Rights for Open Societies" course was an exceptional learning opportunity that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of human rights and promoting social justice. The course content was thoughtfully curated, the instructors were passionate and knowledgeable, and the interactive approach made the learning experience both stimulating and practical. Thanks to this course, I feel better equipped to make a positive impact and contribute to creating a more just and equitable world.

Overall Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

By Gonca Åž

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Dec 14, 2020

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this course. The content and methodology of the course are very well prepared. Besides the course teaching way through the Coursera platform was very practical and easy for self-learning. The examination method was also very good using different methods like multiple-choice tests, essay writing, and also peer-graded assignments, which pushed me to search and learn more about the subjects from external sources. The ECHR cases let me practice the information I gained and learn better the application of the Court in practice. I would like to thank you one more time for this training

By Russell B

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Nov 9, 2020

This is a well-structured, well-taught course. It's relatively light on lectures and readings, but relatively heavy on assessment tasks, which I think worked well. You learn a lot by wrestling with the assessment tasks. The course is at an introductory level and doesn't demand any prior legal knowledge. I'm legally trained, but not in this area. I think the course has equipped me with a pretty good basic knowledge of European and international human rights law, and I'm inspired to go on and deepen my knowledge in that field.

By Judith P

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May 22, 2022

The course was well prepared and delivered. There was sufficient variation in approaches to assessments but some such as the Sound cloud recording were challenging for me.

Some of the feedback received on my assessments was a little too obtuse and brief to be of much assistance.

References to other legal istruments protecting human rights beyond Europe would be good as contrasting case studies such as in the Asia-Pacific or African regions.

By sara a

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Mar 24, 2018

I have been very pleased with my presence within your educational group and I have benefited greatly from the information, considering that my field of architecture studies is not well versed in this field so you have opened our eyes to some important concepts that we need in our lives and especially in these days the days of war that our cities are facing

By Consie L

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Dec 30, 2016

This course has offered sufficient information on the ECHR system, and the relationship between Open societies and human rights. By giving concrete examples, the course is able to explain, even simplify, complex (legal) concepts and cases. I strongly recommend this course for everyone wishing to have basic knowledge on how the ECHR system works.

By Luca G

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Mar 1, 2020

An absolutely interesting course that unites the issue of the protection of human rights and open societies in a fluid and stimulating way. The course allowed me to fully analyze the ECHR and bring it to life in understanding how open societies develop and how important the protection of human rights is for their evolution.

By Giulianna L A

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Dec 18, 2020

One of the best courses I've taken so far, given me the opportunity to have a better understand about Human Rights an how important is for us to take a better look at our society and pay attention on every single part of it to make sure that everyone knows and has its rights. Looking forward to other courses.

By YALCIN O

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Mar 3, 2019

I find this subject very very important. The course is great for everyone who want to learn something about human rights and open democracy relationship. The content of the course is not boring, and there are many examples from real life that help us to understand better. I strongly advice to everyone.

By rümeysa g

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Dec 6, 2020

It was such a nice course experiment that I liked both the lessons, the subjects and the respected professors. I will definitely take other courses as long as I have time. Both from the university and from the same professors. Thank you so much for everything. You helped me a lot to improve myself.

By Sarah H

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Dec 18, 2016

Fascinating course, had a blast learning about the topics covered. Can see that it would be useful across many fields of work/expertise, or just for the fun of learning, and also still very useful and applicable even if you're not from a country that is not included in this particular convention.

By Julieta C

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Mar 9, 2018

The course content was really good, i found on this course the necessary resources and tools to really have a deep comprehension about what it means human rights for open societies within the context of the ECHR and Convention.

I am really glad i have choosen the course ,very reccomendable

By Kateryna B

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May 29, 2020

Very insightful course! Would recommend it to everyone who wants to get a deeper understanding of notions of democracy, open society and human rights and how they correlate with each other. In plus, it was very interesting to learn some peculiarities of the ECtHR logic!

By Mehmet y G

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Sep 18, 2020

çok güzel bir kurs idi ücretsiz ve sertifikalı olması müthiş bir şey. :) beni bu kursa yönlendiren en büyük şey ise Türkçe alt yazı bulunması idi. Çünkü maalesef sitede çok az hukuk dersinde Türkçe alt yazı bulunuyor :( kursta emeği geçenlere çok teşekkürler :))

By Dante V

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Oct 13, 2020

This course was put together well and helps to instill the basics of the ECHR into your knowledge. I do wish it went a bit more in depth, but overall it was a great experience. I personally would recommend it to all those that are interested in taking it.

By Tomas V

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Dec 8, 2020

A very good course, the presentations were very clear and I learned a lot, thank you all very much!

There were only a couple of problems with some quiz, where the answers where arguibly right, but it didn¿t affect the overall review about it

By Antonija P P

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Jun 19, 2017

Amazing for all the beginners. The course has very clear structure, which enables you to connect all the topics. Very clear lectures and quizzes that help you with further understanding. Wish they would have also some more advanced courses.