Institutions and Laws

JOUR/HRTS 2110: Global Press Freedom: Journalism, Human Rights, and Democracy
TTH 2:00-3:15pm
Scott Wallace

Examination of the complex relationship between freedom of the press and the broader exercise of civil liberties and human rights internationally and in the United States. Understanding of the critical importance of a free press in the functioning of democracy and distinguishing between responsible, fact-based reporting and the falsehoods that sustain authoritarian regimes and aspiring authoritarians. Analysis of the various components that go into the gathering and dissemination of news while engaging in critical thinking about the vulnerability of the press to coercion, the power structures that limit and enable freedom of expression, and the potential for journalism to expose injustice among marginalized and traditionally exploited populations.
Topics of Inquiry: TOI2: Cultural Dimen Human Exp, TOI5: Indiv Values Soc Inst

HRTS 3050: Approaches to Human Rights Advocacy
TTH 11:00-12:15pm
Sandra Sirota

The study of international and domestic non-governmental organizations in human rights advocacy and campaigns.

POLS/HRTS 3428: The Politics of Torture
TTH 2:00-3:15pm
David Richards

Examination of the usage of torture by state and non-state actors. Questions include, “Why is torture perpetrated?” “What domestic and international legal frameworks and issues related to the use of torture?” “How effective are existing legal prohibitions and remedies?” “Who tortures?” and “How does torture affect transitional justice?”
Enrollment Requirements: Open to juniors or higher.

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History, Philosophy, & Theory

HRTS 2100W: Human Rights and Social Change
Th 5:00-7:30pm
Cesar Abadia

Interdisciplinary exploration of the dynamic intersection between human rights and struggles for social change in a variety of contexts. Emphasis on how history, theory, and practice influence the power dynamics that promote or undermine human rights through social change.
Enrollment Requirements: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011.
Skill Codes: COMP: Writing Competency
Content Areas: CA2: Social Science, CA4INT: Div & Multi – Intl
Topics of Inquiry: TOI2: Cultural Dimen Human Exp, TOI3: Div, Equity, Soc Just

LLAS/HRTS 2450: Human Rights in Latin America
TTH 2:00-3:15pm
Anne Gebelein

Fundamental concepts and recurrent challenges of human rights in Latin America.

HEJS/HRTS 3205: Introduction to Holocaust Studies
Online Synchronous
MW 3:30-4:45pm
Grae Sibelman

This course provides students with an introduction to the study of the Holocaust. It examines the political, cultural, and religious contexts in which the mass murder of European Jews and others unfolded, considers the conditions under which the Holocaust became possible, the possibilities for resistance and dissent, and the impact of the Holocaust on contemporary culture and understanding of human rights.

PHIL/HRTS 3220W: Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights
TTH 11:00-12:15pm
Lynne Tirrell

Ontology and epistemology of human rights investigated through contemporary and/or historical texts.
Enrollment Requirements: One three-credit course in Philosophy at the 1100 level; ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011.
Skill Codes: COMP: Writing Competency
Content Areas: CA1: Arts & Humanities
Topics of Inquiry: TOI5: Indiv Values Soc Inst

ANTH/HRTS 3326: Global Health and Human Rights
TTH 9:30-10:45am
Cesar Abadia

Theories, methods and controversies in the interconnected fields of global health and human rights.

HRTS 3460: Human Rights and Armed Conflict
TTH 12:30-1:45pm
Michael Rubin

Examines the relationship between human rights and armed conflict from a social science perspective. Explores human rights abuses as cause and consequence of armed conflict. Evaluates the effectiveness of the human rights and humanitarian approaches to conflict management.
Enrollment Requirements: Open to juniors or higher.

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Applications & Methods

DRAM/HRTS 3139:Theatre and Human Rights
TTH 2:00-3:15pm
Asif Majid

Provides a critical study of theatre production as political discourse in global areas of conflict and how that discourse defines, or is defined by, human rights issues.

POLS/HRTS 3256W: Politics and Human Rights in Global Supply Chains
TTH 2:00-3:15pm
Shareen Hertel

Political and human rights implications of regulating contemporary global supply chains: official regulatory frameworks; non-regulatory approaches to rule-making (such as voluntary corporate codes of conduct and industry standards); social responses to the dilemmas of “ethical” sourcing of goods and services.
Enrollment Requirements: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011, open to Political Science and Human Rights majors and minors; open to juniors or higher. Recommended preparation: POLS 1202, POLS 1402 and POLS/HRTS 3212.
Skill Codes: COMP: Writing Competency

ENGR/HRTS 3257: Assessment for Human Rights and Sustainability
W 4:00-6:30pm
Shareen Hertel

Foundational concepts of human rights and environmental impacts pertaining to global supply chains. Regulations and voluntary standards in engineering-intensive sectors, including infrastructure, biofuels, electronics. Case study analysis of corporate assessment practices for labor rights protection and environmental impacts.

DMD/HRTS 3640: Human Rights Archives I: Documenting and Curating Community Memory
F 12:20-3:20pm
Catherine Masud

The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will learn methods and best practices of collecting and managing digital visual and audio-visual archival assets. This is the first part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II.
Course flyer

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Electives

PHIL/HRTS 2170W: Bioethics and Human Rights in Cross-Cultural Perspective
MWF 12:20-1:10pm
TBA

Philosophical examination of the ethical and human rights implications of recent advances in the life and biomedical sciences from multiple religious and cultural perspectives.
Enrollment Requirements: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011; open to sophomores or higher.
Skill Codes: COMP: Writing Competency
Content Areas: CA1: Arts & Humanities
Topics of Inquiry: TOI2: Cultural Dimen Human Exp, TOI3: Div, Equity, Soc Just

AFRA/SOCI/HRTS 2520: White Racism
TTH 12:30pm-1:45pm
Noel Cazenave

The origin, nature, and consequences of white racism as a central and enduring social principle around which the United States and other modern societies are structured and evolve.
Content Areas: CA4: Diversity & Multicultural

ANTH/HRTS 3309: Violence and Human Rights
TTH 9:30-10:45am
Sayantan Saha Roy

Violence and human rights as cultural constructs; human rights claims; war, genocide, terrorism, street crime, domestic violence; deterrence and intervention policy.
Enrollment Requirements: Open to sophomores or higher.

ARTH/HRTS 3575: Human Rights, Digital Media, Visual Culture
Hybrid
MW 2:00-3:15pm
Michael Orwicz

The problematics of digital media and visual representation in conceptualizing, documenting, and visualizing human rights and humanitarian issues.
Enrollment Requirements: Open to juniors or higher.
Content Areas: CA1: Arts & Humanities
Topics of Inquiry: TOI2: Cultural Dimen Human Exp, TOI3: Div, Equity, Soc Just

ARTH/HRTS 3580: Image as Witness: Testimony, Witness, Confession
Hybrid
TTH 2:00-3:15pm
Jose Falconi

Explores the role of visual culture in bearing witness to human rights abuses.

POLS/HRTS 3807: Constitutional Rights and Liberties
TTH 3:30-4:45pm
Virginia Hettinger

The role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Bill of Rights. Topics include freedoms of speech and religion, criminal due process, and equal protection.
Enrollment Requirements: Open to juniors or higher.

SOWK/HRTS 2160: Human Rights and Social Work
Online Synchronous
MW 4:40-5:55PM
Craig Mortley

An examination of the relationship between social work and human rights, with emphasis on applying international human rights principles to practice. Topics include the international human rights system, social work’s role in promoting rights, and analysis of social problems affecting women, children, immigrants, refugees, and other groups facing systemic barriers. U.S. case studies illustrate how social workers and allied professionals can advocate for and uphold human rights in their work.

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Capstone

HRTS 4291: Service Learning Seminar/Internship
F 10:10-11:00am Online Synchronous
Rachel Jackson & Ayaa Elgoharry 

Combination of supervised fieldwork within the larger human rights community with regular classroom meetings for reflection/analysis on the application of human rights concepts and practices. Students must secure a satisfactory intern position before the end of the second week of the semester of enrollment in this course; students should be in consultation with the instructor several months in advance. 

HRTS 4996W: Senior Thesis
By arrangement

Research and writing of major project exploring a topic with human rights, with close supervision and production of multiple written drafts.

Institutions and Laws

JOUR/HRTS 2110: Global Press Freedom: Journalism, Human Rights, and Democracy 
TTH 2:00-3:15pm 
Scott Wallace 

Examination of the complex relationship between freedom of the press and the broader exercise of civil liberties and human rights internationally and in the United States. Understanding of the critical importance of a free press in the functioning of democracy and distinguishing between responsible, fact-based reporting and the falsehoods that sustain authoritarian regimes and aspiring authoritarians. Analysis of the various components that go into the gathering and dissemination of news while engaging in critical thinking about the vulnerability of the press to coercion, the power structures that limit and enable freedom of expression, and the potential for journalism to expose injustice among marginalized and traditionally exploited populations. 

SOCI/ HRTS 2800 – Human Rights in the United States 
TTh 9:30am-10:45am 
Elizabeth Holzer 

Sociological analyses of human rights issues in the United States, including economic, racial, and gender justice; prisoners’ rights and capital punishment; the role of the United States in international human rights agreements and treaties; and struggles on behalf of human rights. 

HRTS 3055 – Theory and Practice of International Criminal Justice 
Predrag Dojcinovic 

International humanitarian and criminal law; genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression, and theories of individual criminal responsibility. 

HRTS 3200W – International Human Rights Law 
TTh 11am-12:15pm 
Melissa Stewart 
Content Areas: (CA1; 4INT) 

International and regional human rights law, institutions, and regimes; specialized topics include corporate social responsibility, women’s human rights, truth commissions, humanitarian intervention, international criminal law, monitoring, and compliance. 

POLS/ HRTS 3212 – Comparative Perspectives on Human Rights 
TTh 2pm-3:15pm 
Shareen Hertel 

Cultural difference and human rights in areas of legal equality, women’s rights, political violence, criminal justice, religious pluralism, global security, and race relations. 

BUS/ HRTS 3252 – Business and Human Rights 
TTh 5pm-6:15pm 
Rachel Chambers 

The human rights implications of multinational enterprises’ global operations. How to assess corporate social impact through a human rights framework, consider the challenges of regulating the human rights impacts of global business, analyze international policy responses, and evaluate the effectiveness of different approaches to enforcing human rights standards for corporations.

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History, Philosophy, & Theory

HRTS/CLCS 2200/HEJS 2205:- Introduction to Genocide Studies 
TTh 9:30am-10:45am 
James Waller 
Content Areas: (CA2; 4INT) 

Interdisciplinary introduction to the study of genocide as an historical, legal, social, political, and conceptual phenomenon, including response, prevention, and commemoration efforts. 

DRAM/HEJS/HRTS 2203- The Holocaust in Print, Theater, and Film 
T 3:30pm-6:30pm 
Grae Sibelman 
Content Areas: (CA2; 4INT) 

Representations of the Holocaust, including first-hand accounts and documentaries; artistic choices in genre, structure, imagery, point of view, and the limits of representation. 

ENGR/HRTS 2300E – Engineering for Human Rights 
W 3:30pm-5:55pm 
Davis Chacon Hurtado 
Content Areas: (CA2) 

Foundational concepts of human rights and engineering ethics from a global perspective. Discussions of the role of engineering in society from human rights and different ethical perspectives. Principles of “Engineering for human rights” on distributive justice, participation, consideration of duty bearers, accountability, and indivisibility of rights. Case study analysis of engineering projects for human rights impacts.

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Applications & Methods

DRAM/HRTS 2150: Devising Theatre for Social Justice I  
F 1:25pm-3:55pm 
Alexandro Ramirez 
Content Areas: (CA1): Arts & Humanities 

Making theatre without a pre-written script to address a social justice topic of interest, moving from initial stimulus to concluding performance. Students will center a contemporary issue of social justice while developing theatre making skills, emphasizing collaborative co-creation, small group work, and the development and presentation of a range of performance forms. May be repeated for up to six credits with a change in content. 

BLAW/ HRTS 3254 – Social Responsibility and Accountability in Business 
TTh 3:30pm-4:45pm 
Rachel Chambers 

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), accountability, and related concepts. The actors, processes, legal and social norms that shape firm’s management of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues from a global and human rights perspective. Students gain experience in identifying and critically assessing market-based solutions to societal challenges. 

HRTS 3401 – Applied Research in Human Rights 
MW 11:15am-12:05pm 
Michael Rubin 

Development of research skills through practical experience in the field of human rights. In the classroom, students learn fundamentals of research design, data collection and analysis. Outside class, students develop these skills by directly contributing to active research projects centered on human rights issues led by faculty members. 

LLAS/ HRTS 3602 – Human Rights on the U.S./Mexican Border: Narratives of the Immigrant Experience 
TTh 11am-12:15pm 
Anne Gebelein 

The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will be trained in different documentary techniques and storytelling approaches working with oral history narratives and archival materials. This is the second part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II. 

DMD/ HRTS 3641 – Human Rights Archives II: Visual Storytelling Practices 
F 12:30pm-3:30pm 
Catherine Masud 

The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will be trained in different documentary techniques and storytelling approaches working with oral history narratives and archival materials. This is the second part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II. 

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Electives

ARTH/ HRTS 3575 – Human Rights, Digital Media, Visual Culture 
MW 3:30pm-4:45pm 
Michael Orwicz 
Content Areas: (CA1) 

The problematics of digital media and visual representation in conceptualizing, documenting, and visualizing human rights and humanitarian issues. 

POLS/HRTS 3807 – Constitutional Rights and Liberties 
TTh 11am-12:15pm 
Kimberly Bergendahl 

The role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Bill of Rights. Topics include freedoms of speech and religion, criminal due process, and equal protection. 

HRTS 2160 – Human Rights and Social Work 
W 4pm-6:30pm 
Elnara Klicheva 
Content Areas: (CA2, CS4INT) 

An examination of the relationship between social work and human rights, with emphasis on applying international human rights principles to practice. Topics include the international human rights system, social work’s role in promoting rights, and analysis of social problems affecting women, children, immigrants, refugees, and other groups facing systemic barriers. U.S. case studies illustrate how social workers and allied professionals can advocate for and uphold human rights in their work. 

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Capstone

HRTS 4291 – Service Learning Seminar/Internship 
F 10:10am-11am Online Synchronous 
Erica Laplante and Ayaa Elgoharry 

Combination of supervised fieldwork within the larger human rights community with regular classroom meetings for reflection/analysis on the application of human rights concepts and practices. Students must secure a satisfactory intern position before the end of the second week of the semester of enrollment in this course; students should be in consultation with the instructor several months in advance.  

HRTS 4996W – Senior Thesis 
By arrangement 

Research and writing of major project exploring a topic with human rights, with close supervision and production of multiple written drafts.

Common Core Classes

HRTS 5301: Contemporary Debates in Human Rights
W 12:20pm-3:20pm
Elizabeth Holzer

Key Debates in Human Rights will introduce students to the main modern debates in the academic field of human rights.  It is interdisciplinary in scope, including recent intellectual contributions from philosophy, law, political science, sociology, anthropology, literature and history.  It will address a number of central issues and questions, including the normative philosophical foundations of human rights, whether human rights are universal or relative, whether human rights can be held collectively, and the justifications for women’s rights and cultural rights.

HRTS 5401: Methods in Human Rights Research and Practice
TH 5:00-7:30pm
David Richards

An introduction to professional modes of human rights research and practice from multi-disciplinary perspectives. An exploration of roles of data collection, creation, and analysis in policy making and advocacy using principles of human rights evaluation. Examination of the relationship between human rights research and practical interventions affecting human rights outcomes.

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Foundational Electives

EDCI 5847: Human Rights and Social Justice in Education
T 3:30-6:15pm
Sandra Sirota

Introduction to human rights and social justice, two overlapping, but non-identical frameworks for understanding and acting through educational institutions, practices, and objectives.

HRTS 5450:  Contemporary Issues in Genocide Studies
T 9:30am-12:00pm
James Waller

A deeply divided society is one where violence, or even the threat of violence in times of peace, keeps a society divided along social identity lines. These deep social cleavages leave societies at increased risk for large-scale violent conflict, including genocide or other atrocity crimes. This course analyzes risk assessment for genocide and mass atrocity through systematic analyses of case studies of deeply divided societies.  These case studies will include, but are not limited to, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the United States. Particular attention will be paid to the enduring impact of these deep identity divisions and the ways in which truth, memory, and justice continue to be pursued in each case.

HRTS 5460: Human Right and Armed Conflict
TTH 12:30pm-1:45pm
Michael Rubin 

Examines the relationship between human rights and armed conflict from a social science perspective. Explores human rights abuses as cause and consequence of armed conflict. Evaluates the effectiveness of the human rights and humanitarian approaches to conflict management. 

HRTS 5640: Human Rights Archives I: Documenting and Curating Community Memory
F 12:20-3:20pm
Catherine Masud

The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will learn methods and best practices of collecting and managing digital visual and audio-visual archival assets. This is the first part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II.
Course flyer

SSW 5421: Human Rights and Social Work
T 4:00pm-6:30pm
TBA

Theoretical, conceptual, and practical foundation for social workers to engage in a human rights-based approach to social work. Students will gain an understanding of the international human rights system, social work’s contribution to achieving human rights, and how international human rights principles can be applied to social work practice. We will use a number of cases from varied countries, including the United States, to examine how social workers can both advocate for and respect human rights in their work. Formerly offered as SWEL 5385.

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Supplementary Electives

CLCS/GERM 5350: Theater and Human Rights
Tu 12:30-3:00pm
Sebastian Wogenstein

Exploration of theater and related performing arts as forms of artistic expression and public debate. Analysis of specific characteristics of modern and contemporary theater and exploration of theater’s engagement with human rights discourse and interventions in the public sphere. Theoretical texts and recordings of performances will inform class discussions.

Common Core Courses

HRTS 5600 – Human Rights Practice Lab 
M 12:30pm-3pm 
Sandra Sirota 

Critical engagement with human rights issues, strategies, tactics, institutions, and law in a practical setting. Students work collaboratively on a project addressing a pressing human rights issue and refine skills integral to working in the human rights field. Skills include information gathering, ethical analysis, effective communication across diverse audiences, and creative problem-solving. 

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Foundational Electives 

HRTS 5351 – Topics in Human Rights Practice 
W 9:05am-11:35am 
Margaret Walsh 

Examines the complex relationships and tradeoffs between changing environmental conditions and human rights, domestically and internationally. Analyzes core issues including climate change, water, air quality, biodiversity, and land and food systems through the science, laws, traditional knowledge, and policy frameworks that shape decision-making. 

This interdisciplinary graduate course examines the frameworks, issues, and tradeoffs at the intersection of human rights, the environment, and sustainability. Designed for students in the physical sciences, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, agriculture, and the humanities, the course is intended for those who expect to work across diverse sectors and communities in complex real-world settings, and who seek to better communicate the policy relevance and societal implications of their research. The course is a seminar with the expectation that students maintain class dialogue each week and provide leadership for key aspects of the course. 

Core topics include human rights related to climate change; the environmental determinants of health, water, air quality, ecological integrity and biodiversity; and land, agriculture, and food. Students will critically consider important institutional and policy frameworks in the context of broader social and economic issues related to these core topics. Real-world issues and trade-offs will be examined via case studies. 

HRTS 5428 – Torture 
Th 2pm-4:30pm 
David L. Richards 

Examination of the use of torture by state and non-state actors, both historically and today. Topics may include: Why torture is perpetrated; extant domestic and international legal frameworks to remedy torture and their effectiveness; the business of torture; and the effect of torture on transitional justice. 

HRTS 5055 – Theory and Practice of International Criminal Justice 
Does Not Meet 
Predrag Dojcinovic 

An introduction to foundational concepts of international criminal justice such as international humanitarian and criminal law, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression, and theories of individual criminal responsibility. An exploration of the complex challenges, successes, and failures of international criminal courts and tribunals. 

HRTS 5501 – Professional Development for Human Rights Careers 
T 9:30am-12pm 
Erica Laplante 

Examines career pathways in human rights and the development of professional competencies for work in governmental, intergovernmental, nongovernmental, private and academic sectors. Topics include career planning, professional identity, networking, workplace norms, ethical practice, and preparation for employment or further graduate study. Learning activities may include guest speakers, applied skills assessments, and professional development exercises. 

DMD/ HRTS 5641 – Human Rights Archives II: Visual Storytelling Practices 
F 12:30pm-3:30pm 
Catherine Masud 

The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will be trained in different documentary techniques and storytelling approaches working with oral history narratives and archival materials. This is the second part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II. 

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Supplementary Electives 

TBA

Core Classes

HRTS 5301: Contemporary Debates in Human Rights
W 12:20pm-3:20pm
Elizabeth Holzer

Key Debates in Human Rights will introduce students to the main modern debates in the academic field of human rights. It is interdisciplinary in scope, including recent intellectual contributions from philosophy, law, political science, sociology, anthropology, literature and history. It will address a number of central issues and questions, including the normative philosophical foundations of human rights, whether human rights are universal or relative, whether human rights can be held collectively, and the justifications for women’s rights and cultural rights.

EDCI 5847: Human Rights and Social Justice in Education
T 3:30-6:15pm
Sandra Sirota

Introduction to human rights and social justice, two overlapping, but non-identical frameworks for understanding and acting through educational institutions, practices, and objectives.

SSW 5421: Human Rights and Social Work
T 4:00pm-6:30pm
TBA

Theoretical, conceptual, and practical foundation for social workers to engage in a human rights-based approach to social work. Students will gain an understanding of the international human rights system, social work’s contribution to achieving human rights, and how international human rights principles can be applied to social work practice. We will use a number of cases from varied countries, including the United States, to examine how social workers can both advocate for and respect human rights in their work. Formerly offered as SWEL 5385.

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Electives

HRTS 5401: Methods in Human Rights Research and Practice
TH 5:00-7:30pm
David Richards

An introduction to professional modes of human rights research and practice from multi-disciplinary perspectives. An exploration of roles of data collection, creation, and analysis in policy making and advocacy using principles of human rights evaluation. Examination of the relationship between human rights research and practical interventions affecting human rights outcomes.

HRTS 5450:  Contemporary Issues in Genocide Studies
T 9:30am-12:00pm
James Waller

A deeply divided society is one where violence, or even the threat of violence in times of peace, keeps a society divided along social identity lines. These deep social cleavages leave societies at increased risk for large-scale violent conflict, including genocide or other atrocity crimes. This course analyzes risk assessment for genocide and mass atrocity through systematic analyses of case studies of deeply divided societies.  These case studies will include, but are not limited to, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the United States. Particular attention will be paid to the enduring impact of these deep identity divisions and the ways in which truth, memory, and justice continue to be pursued in each case.

HRTS 5460: Human Right and Armed Conflict
TTH 12:30pm-1:45pm
Michael Rubin 

Examines the relationship between human rights and armed conflict from a social science perspective. Explores human rights abuses as cause and consequence of armed conflict. Evaluates the effectiveness of the human rights and humanitarian approaches to conflict management. 

CLCS/GERM 5350: Theater and Human Rights
Tu 12:30-3:00pm
Sebastian Wogenstein

Exploration of theater and related performing arts as forms of artistic expression and public debate. Analysis of specific characteristics of modern and contemporary theater and exploration of theater’s engagement with human rights discourse and interventions in the public sphere. Theoretical texts and recordings of performances will inform class discussions.

SSW 5414.001:Core Concepts of Child and Adolescent Trauma
W 4:00-6:30pm
TBA

SSW 5414.002:Core Concepts of Child and Adolescent Trauma
W 6:45-9:15pm
Online Synchronous

Incorporates the new National Child Traumatic Stress Network core curriculum on child trauma (CCCT). The course conveys the crucial evidence-based concepts, components, and skills designed by the NCTSN to strengthen competency in assessment, referral, and treatment. Formerly offered as SWEL 5318.

Core Classes

LAW 7878: International Human Rights
MoWe 9:30AM – 11:00AM
Melissa Stewart

This course analyzes the essence of human rights in comparison with other rights of citizens. Human rights shall be considered from the viewpoint of international regulation (the United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights), regulation in different parts of the world and in different countries (United States of America, western European countries, Russia and eastern European countries). Concrete cases of human rights violations and concrete means of protecting human rights will be discussed.

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Electives

HRTS 5351 – Topics in Human Rights Practice 
W 9:05am-11:35am 
Margaret Walsh 

Examines the complex relationships and tradeoffs between changing environmental conditions and human rights, domestically and internationally. Analyzes core issues including climate change, water, air quality, biodiversity, and land and food systems through the science, laws, traditional knowledge, and policy frameworks that shape decision-making. 

This interdisciplinary graduate course examines the frameworks, issues, and tradeoffs at the intersection of human rights, the environment, and sustainability. Designed for students in the physical sciences, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, agriculture, and the humanities, the course is intended for those who expect to work across diverse sectors and communities in complex real-world settings, and who seek to better communicate the policy relevance and societal implications of their research. The course is a seminar with the expectation that students maintain class dialogue each week and provide leadership for key aspects of the course. 

Core topics include human rights related to climate change; the environmental determinants of health, water, air quality, ecological integrity and biodiversity; and land, agriculture, and food. Students will critically consider important institutional and policy frameworks in the context of broader social and economic issues related to these core topics. Real-world issues and trade-offs will be examined via case studies. 

HRTS 5428 – Torture 
Th 2pm-4:30pm 
David L. Richards 

Examination of the use of torture by state and non-state actors, both historically and today. Topics may include: Why torture is perpetrated; extant domestic and international legal frameworks to remedy torture and their effectiveness; the business of torture; and the effect of torture on transitional justice. 

HRTS 5501 – Professional Development for Human Rights Careers 
T 9:30am-12pm 
Erica Laplante 

Examines career pathways in human rights and the development of professional competencies for work in governmental, intergovernmental, nongovernmental, private and academic sectors. Topics include career planning, professional identity, networking, workplace norms, ethical practice, and preparation for employment or further graduate study. Learning activities may include guest speakers, applied skills assessments, and professional development exercises. 

DMD/ HRTS 5641 – Human Rights Archives II: Visual Storytelling Practices 
F 12:30pm-3:30pm 
Catherine Masud 

The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will be trained in different documentary techniques and storytelling approaches working with oral history narratives and archival materials. This is the second part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II. 

HRTS 5055 – Theory and Practice of International Criminal Justice 
Does Not Meet 
Predrag Dojcinovic 

An introduction to foundational concepts of international criminal justice such as international humanitarian and criminal law, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression, and theories of individual criminal responsibility. An exploration of the complex challenges, successes, and failures of international criminal courts and tribunals.

LAW 7319: Bias, Racism, and Cross Cultural Competency
Tu 6:30PM – 9:15PM
Courtney Chaplin

This course focuses on the importance of cross-cultural awareness as a component of competent legal representation, and on the lawyer’s obligation to promote a justice system that provides equal access and eliminates bias, discrimination, and racism in the law. Whether students plan to pursue careers in public interest, Big Law, or other legal practice contexts, understanding the value of diverse perspectives in organizational decision making and innovation, and the ability to communicate effectively with clients, are essential requirements for success in the legal profession. Through large- and small-group sessions, students will critically examine the historical, political, and social contexts in which inequities in the law have been created and perpetuated. Students will also explore how lawyers can and do use advocacy, scholarship, and policy reform to challenge and remedy biases and inequities in law and legal systems. The course will combine doctrinal instruction with exercises designed to encourage reflection and help students strengthen their skills in working with clients from a variety of backgrounds and with different interests.

LAW 7360: Diversity and Inclusion in the Legal Profession
We 2:00PM – 5:00PM
Tanya Johnson

This course explores issues related to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, including history, policies, and laws connected to these areas. The course will consider the reasons why diversity and inclusion are a problem within the legal profession, identify ongoing issues and systemic challenges, and survey efforts made to increase diversity and inclusion in various aspects of the legal profession. Topics will include disparities and discrimination related to race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexuality, religion, disability, age, and socioeconomic status. The course will include guest speakers from different areas of legal practice. Students will be evaluated based on a course paper, short response papers, and active participation.

LAW 7609: Clinic: Asylum and Human Rights
(Clinic: Asylum and Human Rights. Only open to law students; only four credit classroom component counts towards certificate)
Tu 3:30PM – 5:30PM
Maegan Faitsch and Jon Bauer

Students in this clinic represent persons seeking asylum in the United States. Asylum – which provides a path to lawful status and eventual citizenship for individuals who could otherwise face deportation – is available to persons who suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of being persecuted in their home country because of their race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Students in this clinic exercise primary responsibility for all aspects of the asylum process, working intensively (usually in teams of two) on one individual’s or family’s case. Students interview and counsel their clients; investigate the relevant facts; prepare asylum and employment authorization applications; draft detailed narrative affidavits presenting their clients’ testimony; develop a legal theory of the case; identify fact witnesses and experts and elicit testimony from those witnesses; conduct legal and country conditions research; prepare an extensive package of supporting documentary evidence, along with an annotated index of exhibits; draft a legal brief and any necessary motions; and represent their clients at trial. Students may also handle post-asylum matters, such as applications for permanent residency, derivative asylum petitions for qualifying relatives, or appeals arising from grants or denials of asylum. Classroom seminars focus on the substantive and procedural law relevant to asylum claims; the lawyering skills that students will utilize in their cases; legal, tactical, and ethical issues that arise in the cases; and critical reflection on the legal system and the lawyer’s role. This is a two-semester clinic, and students must enroll for the entire academic year. Students must enroll in both Law 7609 (seminar component) and Law 7610 (fieldwork component). 9 credits in the fall (4 credits seminar, 5 credits fieldwork), and 5 credits in the spring (2 credits seminar, 3 credits fieldwork).

May be repeated for a total of 6 credits

LAW 7679: International Law
TuTh 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Mark Janis

This course is a study of the rules and adjudication of international law. Topics include customary international law, treaties, general principles of law and equity, the adjudication of international law by international courts, domestic courts, and international arbitration.

LAW 7814: Refugee Law
Th 2:00PM – 5:00PM
Jon Bauer

Millions of people worldwide are forced to flee their homes as a result of persecution, war, or other factors. This course will focus on legal responses to the problem of refugees, on both the international level and in United States law. The course will examine the development of international norms concerning the protection of refugees under the U.N Refugee Convention and Protocol and the Convention Against Torture, and consider in depth the laws and institutions that address claims for asylum and related forms of protection in the United States. The course will examine issues such as the legal standards for qualifying for refugee status, the challenges of assessing applicants’ credibility, and the complex and controversial issues raised by the increasing numbers of refugees fleeing from gender-based harms (such as domestic violence, forced marriage, and female genital cutting) and gang violence.