Core Courses
HRTS G4020 Introduction to Human Rights
This course provides a wide-ranging survey of conceptual foundations and issues in contemporary human rights. The class examines the philosophical origins of human rights, their explication in the evolving series of international documents, as well as questions of enforcement through international law and treaty arrangements. The course also examines contemporary topics that are in the forefront of concern, among them - the status of women, refugees, children, the use of torture and the horrors of genocide. Though the course emphasizes political rights, it also recognizes the evolution of the human rights culture, the growing importance of economic rights and tensions related to globalization and multiculturalism. This course is required and offered in the fall term. Three credits.
HRTS G4800 Human Rights and International Law
This course introduces the fundamental concepts and problems of public international law. What are the origins of international law? Is international law really law? Who is governed by it? How are treaties interpreted? What is the relationship between international law and domestic law? We examine the interplay between law and international politics, in particular with reference to international human rights, humanitarian law, the use of force, and international criminal prosecutions. No prior knowledge of international law is required. While the topics are necessarily law-related, the course will assume no prior exposure to legal studies. This course is required and offered in the fall and spring terms. Three credits.
HRTS G4820 Human Rights and International Organizations
This course examines the role of international organizations in the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights norms. In particular, the course surveys contending approaches on the importance of international organizations in world politics; explores the constitution, history and function of various international organizations for the promotion/protection of human rights and studies the way in which the human rights discourse has been increasingly intersecting with the peace and security and the sustainable development discourses in the work of these organizations; provides an overview of the growing interaction between international organizations and NGOs; and assesses the record of these organizations’ monitoring and enforcement mechanisms in the area of human rights. This course is required and offered in the fall and spring terms. Three credits.
Human Rights Graduate Research Colloquium I and II
HRTS G8010 Human Rights Graduate Research Colloquium I
Colloquium I introduces students to current research in the field and resources in print and electronic formats fundamental to advanced human rights research. Class meetings include lectures by faculty and researchers in the field and library staff on reference tools and skills. Students will complete the thesis proposal and present their proposals for peer review. Colloquium I may be taken for one or two credits.
HRTS G8020 Human Rights Graduate Research Colloquium II
Colloquium II is designed for Human Rights Studies students writing the thesis and other graduate students completing similar research projects on human rights. The colloquium provides a structured opportunity to research and write in stages. Students review and discuss current research in human rights, review research resources and develop skills required for a successful thesis, present their own and discuss others’ work, and receive constructive advice on their work and the thesis process. Colloquium II is taken for two or three credits.
Concentration and Elective Courses
Each semester, the HRS program reviews courses offered by the various departments on campus and compiles a list of courses that are particularly relevant for Human Rights Studies students. Students are also encouraged to review ISHR’s general course List. Courses on these lists may be of particular interest to human rights students, but do automatically count towards the degree. Students should consult with the program advisor in order to determine whether or not the course will count towards the fulfillment of the concentration requirements.
Concentration courses
Concentration courses must address the particular area of human rights that the student has selected as their concentration. Courses on the pre-approved list will only fulfill the concentration requirement if the course pertains directly to the student’s concentration.
Elective courses
Elective courses must address human rights issues, but do not have to focus on a particular area of human rights. Courses included on the list of pre-approved courses automatically count as electives.
Summer Courses
ISHR offers a Human Rights Summer Program through the School of Continuing Education.
