Yearbooks

Applying human rights principles to selected rights of sexual minorities in Africa 806


 
Module code HRA 806
Qualification Postgraduate
Faculty Faculty of Law
Module content

The focus of this module is on the application of human rights principles to selected issues affecting sexual minorities in Africa, with a view to developing human rights responses to related contemporary challenges in the African region.
Topics include:
(a) Providing a critical understanding of the concepts ‘sexual orientation’
      and ‘gender identity', ‘homosexual’, ‘bisexual’, ‘gay’, ‘lesbian’, ‘transgender’,
       ‘intersex’, ‘sexual minority’, ‘heterosexism’, and ‘queer’
(b) Understanding theories on the psychology, biology and sociobiology of
      homosexuality
(c) Investigating the global history of homosexuality, particularly in the ‘West’
      (USA and Britain) and its influence on Africa
(d) Investigating the evolution of homosexuality and society in Africa, including
      an anthropological review of homosexuality in traditional African societies,
      and under colonialism and in post-colonial Africa
(e) Understanding the nature of the violation of rights of ‘sexual minorities’
       including violations to the rights to health; discrimination based on actual
       or presumed sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV status; sexual and
       other forms of violence; violations of the right to privacy; stigmatisation and
       its consequences) particularly by states and non-state actors in Africa
(f) Understanding the reasons for rights violations and homophobia in Africa by
     investigating the role of culture/tradition, religion and majoritarianism
(g) Considering the role of public policy, by focusing on the need and
       possibilities for legal reform, and strategies to sensitise communities for
       the rights of sexual minorities and change homophobic attitudes

Module credits 20.00
Prerequisites No prerequisites.
Contact time 30 contact hours per semester
Language of tuition English
Academic organisation Centre for Human Rights
Period of presentation Semester 1

The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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