Human Rights through Active Democracy and Rhetorical Citizenship

<p>This short intensive course explores the relationship between rhetoric, democracy and human rights, and develops your skills in effective, authentic, and respectful public communication.</p><p>The course takes its starting point in the idea that democracy is not built on consensus alone, but on meaningful disagreement handled through rhetoric. Within the framework of the Copenhagen School’s concept of rhetorical citizenship, public debate is understood as an empirical rhetorical practice where conflict and dissent can strengthen democratic life. Special attention is given to how marginalized voices can be heard and included in public discourse. </p><p>Through lectures and practical exercises, you gain tools to understand how communication both enables and restricts citizens’ participation in society. You learn how opinions and arguments can be expressed in ways that are both persuasive and ethically grounded, while taking into account different interests, perspectives and power relations. The course is offered as a freestanding course at first-cycle level (G1N), with only upper-secondary entry requirements, and is taught in English. </p><p><br/></p>