Background
Renteln, Alison Dundes was born on January 9, 1960 in Bloomington, Indiana, United States. Daughter of Alan and Carolyn (Browne) Dundes.
( Are human rights universal? Universalists and cultural ...)
Are human rights universal? Universalists and cultural relativists have long been debating this question. In INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS, Alison Dundes Renteln reconciles the two positions and argues that, within the vast array of cultural practices and values, it is possible to create structural equivalents to rights in all societies. She poses that empirical cross-cultural research can reveal universal human rights standards, then demonstrates it through an analysis of the concept of measured retribution. INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS is a classic socio-legal study of the incompatibility and possible reconciliation of competing views of cultural relativism and absolute fundamental human rights. It features prodigious research and insight that has often been cited by academics and human rights lawyers and activists over two decades. Originally published in the Sage Publications' Frontiers of Anthropology Series, the book is now available in print and eBook formats from Quid Pro Books. Updated UN organizational charts are included in a new Appendix. The 2013 republication also adds a new preface by the author and a new foreword by Tom Zwart, Professor of Human Rights at Utrecht University. As Professor Zwart notes, "The book caused quite a splash when it was first published, because its author asked many important questions which had not been raised before. She challenged some of the normativist assumptions which characterized the field.... All those involved in human rights research and practice owe a debt of gratitude to Renteln for writing this pioneering book.... Fortunately, this wonderful book, through its re-issue, will remain a very important reference text for decades to come, to be enjoyed by the next generations of students of human rights." INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS provides an unusual combination of abstract theory and empirical evidence. Written in an accessible style, it will interest scholars and students in political science, sociology, anthropology, peace studies, cross-cultural research, and philosophy—as well as human rights activists and the general reading public.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1610271602/?tag=2022091-20
(In what ways and to what extent should cultural backgroun...)
In what ways and to what extent should cultural background be taken into consideration in response to legal problems? The first book-length study of the topic, The Cultural Defense provides a comprehensive overview of the debate surrounding the admissibility of cultural evidence in the courtroom. Documenting an extraordinary range of cases in which individuals have attempted to invoke a cultural defense, this book provides an in-depth look at the complexities of invoking cultural arguments in the diverse bodies of law under which the cases fall. Cases considered include homicide and rape prosecutions, child abuse cases, drug use cases, the treatment of animals, and custody battles. Disputing current practices, Renteln contends that the cultural defense should, in both criminal and civil matters, be given formal recognition.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195154037/?tag=2022091-20
political science professor anthropology educator
Renteln, Alison Dundes was born on January 9, 1960 in Bloomington, Indiana, United States. Daughter of Alan and Carolyn (Browne) Dundes.
Bachelor in History and Literature cum laude, Harvard University, 1981; postgraduate, London School Economics, 1981-1982; M of Jurisprudence, University of California, Berkeley, 1985; Doctor of Philosophy in Jurisprudence and Social Policy, University of California, Berkeley, 1987; Juris Doctor, University of Southern California, 1991.
Acting director, visiting lecturer law and society, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1986-1987;
assistant professor political science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1987-1993;
associate professor political science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, since 1993;
acting director Unruh Institute Pol., University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1995-1996;
vice-chair department political science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, since 1995. Visiting professor School Law, University of California, Berkeley, 1996-1997. Visiting professor department political science Stanford University, 1997.
Lecturer California State Judges Association, National Association Women Judges, United Nations Association, National Association Foreign Student Affairs, Los Angeles Refugee Forum, California Association of Administration of Justice Educators Delinquency Control Institute. Others; coordinator Contemporary Issues in Law and Public Policy lecturer series Pasadena Senior Citizens Center. Participant Hearing of the United States Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect.
(In what ways and to what extent should cultural backgroun...)
( Are human rights universal? Universalists and cultural ...)
Member American Political Science Association, Law and Society Association, Commission on Folk Law and Legal Pluralism, American Society International Law, International Law Association.
Married Paul Alexander Renteln, June 9, 1985. Children: David Alexander, Michael Alan.