Re: World Program for Human Rights Education



Dear Susan (and other colleagues),

Thank you for the information you shared on the HREA listserv regarding
the development of the Human Rights Education emphasis in your program at
the University of San Francisco.

We are attempting to do something of a similar sort with a likely more
insular crowd here in the middle of the contiguous 48. Two years ago we
developed an International Justice minor program. Likely the only one in
the U.S. sponsored by a criminal justice department. Most of the students
taking the courses so far have been our own criminal justice majors. Sadly
almost without exception, these students have had no exposure to any
notions of international norms regarding civil and political rights, which
lie at the heart of justice systems. Thus, it is surprising to see
individuals of this typically risk averse crowd readily sign up for such
an unknown quantity and then to see their interest continue as they
explore the subject matter of the program.

I would welcome your thoughts on attempts to reach this type of audience
and I applaud your efforts in the new course you are teaching. I have
often regretted not getting individuals in our College of Education
involved in this type of activity.

Sincerely, 

Don Wallace 

Donald H. Wallace 
Professor 
Department of Criminal Justice 
300 Humphreys Bldg. 
University of Central Missouri 
Warrensburg, MO 64093 USA 
Phone: 660/543-8913 
Fax: 660/543-8306 




>>> Susan Katz 03/02/07 10:23 AM >>> 

Dear All, 

I also very much appreciate this dialogue. I would like to share what
we are doing at the University of San Francisco. I am in the
department of International and Multicultural Education in the School
of Education, which is a graduate program. We are developing an
emphasis in Human Rights Education for both our MA and Ed.D. degrees.
I am currently teaching a new course, "Human Rights Education:
Concepts and Pedagogies". I decided to choose case studies which
focus on human rights violations post-9/11 in the U.S. (or at least
originating in the U.S.) to dispute the widely held myth here in this
country that we are the world's champion of human rights. 

Only 8% of people polled in the U.S. were familiar with the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights!! I imagine this is one of the lowest
percentages around the globe. My colleagues and I strongly believe it
is our responsibility to try to change this by providing this
direction in our program. Our students are mostly teachers and
activists, who will then hopefully take this knowledge to their own
communities. 






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