The course examines the historical and contemporary legal and policy treatment of indigenous peoples in select countries of Latin America, Africa, Asia and the common-law tradition. It will pay special attention to the normative effect that regional and universal human rights bodies have had on domestic constitutional, legislative and jurisprudential developments in those countries. Areas of concern will include legal and political status of indigenous peoples, rights to lands and natural resources, customary justice systems and self-determination. The course aims to identify common and divergent trends between different countries and regions of the world and assess them in light of contemporary international human rights standards.

Photocopied materials and bibliography 

Class discussion based on assigned readings  

TBA

TBA

Final paper or take home exam and class participation.