Faculty: INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS The Human Rights Law major focuses on the legal frameworks and principles that protect and promote human rights at national and international levels. Students develop skills in human rights advocacy, legal research, policy analysis, and international law. Graduates are prepared for careers in human rights organizations, international institutions, government agencies, and legal practices. **Learning Objectives:** - Understand the fundamentals of human rights law and international legal frameworks. - Develop skills in legal research, policy analysis, and human rights advocacy. - Learn techniques for interpreting and applying human rights laws and treaties. - Explore principles of international humanitarian law, refugee law, and human rights enforcement. - Analyze and interpret human rights cases, policies, and global trends. - Develop critical thinking, analytical, and advocacy skills for effective human rights practice. **Major Outline:** 1. **Introduction to Human Rights Law** - Overview of key concepts, principles, and practices in human rights law. - Fundamentals of international human rights frameworks and institutions. 2. **International Human Rights Law** - Principles of international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and core treaties. - Techniques for understanding and applying international human rights standards. 3. **Human Rights Advocacy** - Principles of human rights advocacy, including strategic litigation, campaigning, and lobbying. - Techniques for designing and implementing effective advocacy strategies. 4. **Legal Research and Policy Analysis** - Principles of legal research and policy analysis in human rights. - Techniques for conducting thorough legal research and analyzing human rights policies. 5. **International Humanitarian Law** - Principles of international humanitarian law, including the laws of war, protection of civilians, and armed conflict regulations. - Techniques for applying international humanitarian law in conflict situations. 6. **Refugee and Asylum Law** - Principles of refugee and asylum law, including the rights of refugees, asylum procedures, and international protection. - Techniques for advocating for and protecting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. 7. **Human Rights Enforcement** - Principles of human rights enforcement, including monitoring, reporting, and adjudication mechanisms. - Techniques for enforcing human rights through national and international mechanisms. 8. **Internship/Practicum** - Real-world experiences in human rights law settings, including internships in human rights organizations, international institutions, or legal practices. - Application of learned skills in practical human rights scenarios. 9. **Capstone Project in Human Rights Law** - Comprehensive project applying skills in international human rights law, advocacy, or legal research. - Delivery of a polished human rights project, policy analysis, or research presentation. **Assessment Methods:** - Legal research papers, policy analyses, advocacy strategy plans, international humanitarian law projects, refugee law studies, human rights enforcement plans, internship/practicum reports, capstone projects, group projects, and presentations. **Recommended Textbooks:** - "Human Rights Law" by various authors. - "International Human Rights Law" by various authors. - "Human Rights Advocacy" by various authors. - "Legal Research and Policy Analysis" by various authors. - "International Humanitarian Law" by various authors. - "Refugee and Asylum Law" by various authors. - "Human Rights Enforcement" by various authors. **Prerequisites:** Basic knowledge of law, international relations, and an interest in human rights and legal advocacy. **Major Duration:** Typically 3-4 years for a bachelor's degree, including coursework, internships, and capstone projects. For advanced practice, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Human Rights Law may be pursued, which typically takes an additional 1-2 years. **Certification:** Graduates may receive a degree in Human Rights Law and pursue further education or professional certifications in specialized areas of human rights and international law. **Target Audience:** Aspiring human rights lawyers, advocates, policy analysts, and professionals seeking careers in human rights organizations, international institutions, government agencies, and legal practices. This major equips students with the legal, analytical, and advocacy skills needed to excel in human rights law, supporting careers in various roles focused on protecting and promoting human rights.