W102 Tutorial 5Agenda

Date: Saturday 8 April 2017

Time: 10.00am – 1.00pm

Venue: LSE building

Tutor: John Herrmann

Activity 1

This Activity draws on the material in Unit 14 Section 1, and also Section 3.2

What are the key characteristics that define human rights? What do they mean? How do they appear in reality, i.e. can you give 2 diverse examples of how these characteristics would appear in reality?

Characteristic / Meaning / Examples

Activity 2

This Activity explores the second common type of modern slavery: forced or bonded labour, as covered in Unit 15 Section 4.

(a)

What are the characteristics of forced labour?

How does it differ from bonded labour?

Give at least one example of each.

(b) Using these examples, form a reasoned argument as to the extent to which you regard these as human rights issues, as opposed to pure criminal issues.

Activity 3

Based on units 15 and 16, list and explain the differnet theories on the role law and the relationship between law and moraility

Activity 4: based on unit 16 sections 1,2, 4 and 5

In groups agree on a definition of (1) “law” (2) “morality” then identify which of the following rules are (a) laws (b) moral rules (c) both (d) neither.

  1. Murder is prohibited
  2. You should always give up your seat on a bus to an elderly person
  3. Having an abortion is prohibited
  4. Sexual relations between same sex couples is permitted
  1. individuals of its own citizens, without the permission of the state within whose territory force is applied’.

Activity 5: based on your reading of Unit 16 sections 3, 6 and 7 as well as the case studies you undertook in unit 17 please consider the following question.

Tartanian, a small nation state, has for years had a policy of allowing parents to only have one child. In order to ensure they are supported in their old age (there is no social security provision) parents abort female fetus’s in order to bear male children who will grow up to work and support them in retirement.

The Tartanian government is concerned that with a male dominated population of single children their society will come overly aggressive and competitive and collaboration and cooperation will become impossible at a national and international level. They therefore impose an annual tax on all parents who bear male children.

Are the citizen’s obliged to pay such a tax?

Would you answer differ for those citizen’s whose faith dictated that abortion was immoral?

When discussing your answers you will need to consider (1) whether or not law should enforce morality and (2) whether or not it is ever acceptable not to obey the law.

Activity6 Preparation for TMA 5