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Human Rights and Humanitarianism Interdepartmental ProgramCoordinator: James Dawes (English) Steering Committee: Martin Gunderson (Philosophy), Joëlle Vitiello (French and Francophone Studies), Erik Larson (Sociology), Nadya Nedelsky (International Studies), Dianna Shandy (Anthropology), Wendy Weber (Political Science) This concentration provides students an opportunity to engage in the interdisciplinary study of human rights and humanitarianism. The objectives of the concentration are to cultivate in students: (a) a familiarity with major developments in the history of human rights and humanitarianism; (b) an understanding of the institutional frameworks governing human rights and humanitarianism, including international law, international organizations, civil society movements, etc.; (c) an understanding of the theoretical and philosophical debates about the meanings of human rights and humanitarianism; (d) a capacity to understand and evaluate practical debates over the methods, motivations, and consequences of human rights and humanitarian action, including but not limited to questions of policy-making, fieldwork, and media and artistic representation; (e) a familiarity with a range of current and past global (including local, national, and international) human rights problems. Given that students and faculty approach the study of human rights and humanitarianism from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, the program permits students to complete this concentration in conjunction with a wide array of majors. The program promotes breadth by requiring that students complete courses in more than one department; it promotes depth by requiring a major research project focused on a relevant topic. ConcentrationA concentration in Human Rights and Humanitarianism consists of a major research paper and five (5) courses selected from two lists of courses: Framework Courses and Specialized Courses. Of these five courses, at least three (3) courses must come from the list of Framework Courses. Students are encouraged to pursue internships and take study away courses in the areas of human rights and humanitarianism. These may be counted toward the concentration with the approval of the program coordinator. In addition to the five courses required for the concentration, students must complete a major research paper focusing primarily on human rights and/or humanitarianism. Students may fulfill this requirement by completing: (a) a departmental senior seminar that includes a major paper focused on human rights and/or humanitarianism; (b) a departmental Honors project focused on human rights and/or humanitarianism; or (c) an equivalent research paper or project approved in advance by the program coordinator (for instance, an independent study with a participating faculty member, or an expanded research paper in one of the courses from the concentration). Framework Courses These courses provide students with a basic understanding of the international norms of human rights and humanitarianism, the history and purpose of the primary intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and the philosophical/historical/intellectual background of the field. Framework courses focus on a limited set of practices as a way of providing a basic, common language for students.
Specialized Courses These courses offer students a chance to acquire more detailed mastery of specific topics, themes, or regions in studies of human rights and humanitarianism. Specialized courses offer exposure to the broader array of histories and movements dedicated to the promotion of human dignity and the protection of human rights.
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