Explore International Human Rights at Columbia University in the City of New York
The ISHR Summer Program offers two, six-week sessions each summer. The program emphasizes the interaction between human rights theory and practice and provides students the opportunity to explore human rights both inside and outside the classroom.
Student discussion in Corporate Social Responsibility: A Human Rights Approach, Summer 2010
ISHR was the first academic center in the world to be founded on an interdisciplinary commitment to the study of human rights. We are committed to providing excellent human rights education, fostering innovative and interdisciplinary academic research, and building the capacity of human rights leaders, organizations, and universities around the world.
Academic coursework
- The Summer Term’s courses are designed for advanced undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines.
- Courses are taught by Columbia and visiting faculty who are experts in various areas of human rights.
- Students can receive three academic credit points for each class.
- Enrollment is limited to 22 students per class.
| Session I: May 24-July 2 | Session II: July 6-August 13 |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Human Rights | Corporate Social Responsibility: A Human Rights Approach |
| International Law and Human Rights | Human Rights of Women |
Course descriptions are below.
Co-Curricular activities
Taking advantage of its location in New York City, ISHR’s Summer Program also provides co-curricular activities for interested students. In previous years, students have had the opportunity to meet with experts from Human Rights Watch, the International Center for Transitional Justice, and the UN Special Advisor on the Responsibility to Protect. Students have also attended the annual Human Rights Watch film festival.
Other resources
Academic and career advising are available. Students also have access to Columbia housing, a state-of-the-art student center, gym, recreational facilities, and one of the largest library collections in the nation. Please refer to the Summer Term website for more information.
Applications
New/visiting student application deadlines: May 13 for the first session and June 23 for the second session.
First session registration is open May 20-24. Late registration, for which an additional fee will be assessed, is open through May 27. This is also the last date to change a schedule or drop a class without being charged for it.
For tuition and other application information, please visit www.ce.columbia.edu/summer or contact the School of Continuing Education at 212-854-9666 or
International students must register for a minimum of 6 points in a 6-week session that begins either May 24 or July 6, or a minimum of 12-points for a 12-week session. They should be aware of additional application and visa requirements, registration obligations, and earlier deadlines.
Please note, it is no longer possible to take summer school courses on a non-credit basis.
Course Descriptions
Session I: May 24-July 2
Introduction to Human Rights (6 weeks, three credits)
Tue/Thur 2:00-5:10pm
Columbia University, HRTS 4020
Professor George Andreopoulos
This course focuses on key concepts in human rights, and examines their analytical value in the context of varying approaches toward the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights norms. In particular, the course examines these concepts in light of recent debates in international relations on the role of ideas and norms, and of the growing convergence between international human rights and international humanitarian law. It assesses the impact of normative considerations, the role of state and non-state actors, as well as that of international institutions on a whole set of critical issue areas including discrimination, accountability, human security, political membership, human development, and legal empowerment. The course concludes with an evaluation of recent initiatives in UN-led human rights reform.
International Law and Human Rights (6 weeks, three credits)
Mon/Wed, 5:00-8:10 pm; Friday, 3:00-6:10 with exceptions
(view full schedule)
Columbia University, HRTS 4220
Professor Maya Sabatello
This course will give the graduate student in human rights an introductory understanding of the fundamental concepts and problems of public international law. Each of our class sessions will focus upon various important aspects of the discipline and their interplay with international politics, including: sources of international law, international dispute settlement mechanisms, the role of specific international institutions such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the actors of international law, substantive topics such as the law of the sea, human rights, the legal framework for international use of force, and international criminal law. Classroom learning will proceed from both lecture and case study format.
Session II: July 6-August 13
Corporate Social Responsibility: A Human Rights Approach (6 weeks, three credits)
Tues/Thurs, 4:00-7:10 pm
Columbia University, HRTS 4180
Professor Joanne Bauer
This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to learn about the growing importance of human rights and their impact in the world today through an in-depth examination of the field of business and human rights. This course examines trends in human rights, the development of corporate social responsibility principles and standards, human rights issues facing business operations abroad, and the methods and tactics employed by human rights advocates and businesses to address the human rights impact of corporate activities.
Human Rights of Women (6 weeks, three credits)
Summer Session II: July 6-August 14 2009
Mon/Wed 5:30-8:40
Columbia University, HRTS 4404
Professor Deidre Fottrell
This class uses a gender perspective to explore key issues related to women and human rights. This course will address gender as a subject of human rights and examine emerging and contested issues in international human rights law.
