International Human Rights; Freedom of Religion

In this paper you will compare the current state of a human right in the US and another country of your choosing (France) and the human right is freedom of religion, you will make an argument explaining the similarities/differences that you found regarding the compliance to human rights law. You will assess the evolution of that human right at the international level, then describe the different ways in which your two countries have addressed this right in their domestic context, and then you will attempt to explain why the differences or similarities in how the two countries have addressed the right. The main purpose is to analyze why different states have different stances on a particular right, as well as to understand when states adhere to their international obligations.
Learning objectives:
• To understand how comparison can help us better understand and explain outcomes.
• To learn how to develop theoretical arguments supported in evidence.
• To apply theories of human rights and demonstrate knowledge of international human rights law.

Steps:
1. Solve the puzzle! Your two countries have either similar or different outcomes regarding human rights compliance. This is the puzzle you need to solve!
a. Based on your literature review, identify the key independent variables that may explain the outcome in your two countries.
b. Like a detective, the purpose of this assignment is to “rule out” hypotheses and identify, based on theories, what may be explaining the similar/different outcome in compliance in your two countries.
2. Finally, write your final paper:
• This paper will have to have the format of an academic paper and will have to include the following sections:
a. Introduction (1-2 pages aprox):
i. Introduce the puzzle: describe briefly your cases (are they similar? different? how?) (0.5 points)
ii. Briefly explain the human right that you are analyzing, briefly mention when it emerged and key treaties. (0.5 points)
iii. In one or two sentences tell the reader what is going to be your argument (0.5)
iv. Finally provide a last paragraph that provides a roadmap of the paper (0.5 points)
b. Literature review (2 pages aprox.).
i. Introduce the reader to how current scholarship has explained compliance to your human right (2 point)
ii. End this section explaining on which theoretical framework you base your argument. In other words, choose one independent variable that you think best explains why the outcome is similar (or different) in your two countries (1 point)
c. Findings (5-6 pages aprox.): here is where you support with evidence what explains your outcome. Make sure to support your theoretical arguments with empirical evidence
i. Describe how your right is being implemented/protected in both countries (1 point). Describe if your countries have faced failures/obstacles/success in implementing/protecting the right.
ii. Explain the outcome based on theory: support your argument by showing how the independent variable (which you highlighted in the literature review) best explains your outcome (1 points)
iii. Rule out alternative hypotheses (why the other explanations provided by the literature do not help us understand your cases) (1 point)
iv. Support your arguments with evidence (books, scholarly articles, governmental websites, NGOs’ reports…) (3 points)
d. Conclusions (1 page aprox.): conclude by reminding what was the puzzle and how you solved it (i.e., what IV explains the similar/different compliance between these two countries) (1 point)
e. References in APA (1 point)
GENERAL GUIDELINES (15 points):
• Follow guidelines
• The paper must be 10-12 pages max., 1.5 or double-spaced)
• Make sure the paper has your name, has a title, it is well written, and it follows a logical, coherent argument.
• Quote/cite correctly, using APA style (2 points).