Human Rights and Business

Short Paper 1

You will write three reflection papers (20%) of 800-1000 words where you will build your own argument from the provided course readings.

For the first paper, analyze the corporation as an international actor in the human rights universe. You will want to include a definition and description of an MNC. You’ll also want to assess its status on the world stage by comparing it to at least 1 other actor. Why it is challenging for an MNC to care about human rights? Does CSR provide a useful framework for thinking about the human rights obligations of an MNC? Furnish your own argument about MNCs and human rights. Look to the various questions on the ppts and forums for inspiration on developing an original line of thinking.

A possible outline could be:

I. Introduction

II. Give an original definition of a corporation. What characterizes an MNC ? (its limitations, advantages, constraints) What makes a corporation a powerful entity compared to other actors (states, NGO, etc)?

III. What is the status of the MNC as a human rights actor? Why should MNC care about human rights?

IV. What are some of the explanations for why MNCs commit human rights abuses with impunity? Why are they difficult to control?

V. Conclusion

These papers should be drawn primarily from the course material covered during the week. You are expected to cite three different readings or films at least three times and include a bibliography (MLA or Chicago style). These papers do not require outside research. Avoid summaries or superficial readings of the readings.

Please submit these papers to your drop box. They should be font 12, times new roman, and spell-checked. Please mark each paper: NAME  SHORT PAPER 1. Doc

Grading will be on a five-point scale:

Five:

• Is deeply engaged with the reading and class materials as they relate to the themes of the course
• Quotes from the readings at least three times
• Identifies and compare the MNC to an actor on the world stage
• Has a unique, noteworthy argument
• Is the required length, grammatically sound and posted on time
• With properly formatted bibliography

Four:

• Is engaged with the reading and class materials as they relate to the themes of the course
• Quotes from the readings at least three times
• Offers a cogent analysis
• Is the required length, grammatically and posted on time
• With properly formatted bibliography

Three

• Quotes from the readings at least three times
• May only have a surface take
• Is the required length, grammatically and posted on time
• With properly formatted bibliography

Two:

• Does not quote readings
• Shows little engagement and barely scratches the surface
• Has grammatical errors
• Without bibliography

One

• Does not quote readings
• Unfinished or in draft form
• May be short or too fragmented to follow or have major grammatical problems
• Without bibliography

Zero

• No paper submitted