2012

PY/ED/TH/UN/LL46101 Human Rights Interdisciplinary Seminar
(3 Credits in the Spring)
The Center for Human Rights and International Justice
Graduate Seminar in Human Rights
Prerequisites: Admission by instructor permission only.
Satisfies ABA Writing Requirement for Law Students
Instructor: M. Brinton Lykes

The seminar will be taught and organized by Professor M. Brinton Lykes with participation by the Directors, Fellows, and Affiliated Faculty of the Center for Human Rights and International Justice (see http://www.bc.edu/humanrights). It will develop an interdisciplinary understanding of—and responses to—the compelling human rights challenges of our times.

In the Spring of 2012, the seminar's focus will be on ethical, political, legal, and psychosocial aspects of the human rights issues confronting migrants, refugees and internally displaced populations throughout the world with a particular focus on issues ‘at home’, that is, here within the United States, and among transnational families. We will also develop a critique of human rights discourse to explore violations based on and responses to gender, culture/ethnicity, and race. Specifically, we will explore the effects of structural discrimination based on race, gender, nationality or ethnicity, and culture—as well as how these factors may serve as resources as women and their families resist gross violations of their rights.

The Center invites applications from students enrolled in a graduate professional degree in any of Boston College's divisions. Undergraduate seniors will be considered, space permitting. 

The seminar will meet every Thursday from 12.00 – 2.20 PM and will include sessions with guest lecturers and CHRIJ associate directors and affiliated faculty. Students will be expected to attend all the seminar sessions and are encouraged to attend guest speaker presentations.

Application: Students wishing to apply for the seminar should submit a brief statement explaining their interest (no longer than 250 words) to CHRIJ (humanrights@bc.edu). Please include your Eagle ID in the application and also include if you will be taking more than 4 courses in the spring 2012 semester. The application deadline is Monday, December 5, 2011.