International Human Rights: Theory and Practice Online Learning Course
FALL 2007 September 24, 2007-December 14, 2007 Instructor:
Mohamed Mattar, S.J.D. Teaching Assistants:
Marina Elefante, LL.M.
Alicia Foley, J.D.
Anna Koppel, M.A. Deadline to Apply: August 27, 2007 The Protection Project Background: The Protection Project is a human rights research institute based at The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C. The Protection Project focuses on promoting human rights values throughout the world by engaging in academic research and conducting training, exchange, and fellowship programs focusing on issues of trafficking in persons and child labor, human rights education, women’s empowerment, state compliance with internationally recognized human rights and capacity building for civil society in developing and transition countries. Instructor Biography: Professor Mohamed Mattar, Executive Director of The Protection Project, is a Research Professor at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) where he teaches Comparative Islamic Law and International Trafficking in Persons. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at American University and Georgetown University, where he teaches International Commercial Contracts and Investment and Trade Laws of the Middle East. Introduction to the Course: This course is designed to provide participants with a basic understanding of the main issues related to theory of and practice in international human rights. The course covers in detail the international legal instruments that constitute the basis for international human rights, especially the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Their Families; and The Convention Against all forms of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). The course will also explore critical issues in women’s rights, children’s rights, minorities’ rights, religious rights, and ethnic rights. The course will cover International Humanitarian Law (The Law of War), International Trafficking in Women and Children as a threat to human security, the role of NGOs in enhancing the protection of human rights, and the various monitoring and enforcement mechanisms of international human rights. The course explores regional human rights systems, in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Course Outline and Requirements: The course will take place over a 12-week period, with one module (unit) covered per week of the course, as follows: Unit 1: The International Bill of Rights
Unit 2: Women’s Rights, Gender Inequality, and International Law
Unit 3: Children’s Rights: The International Legal Framework
Unit 4: International Humanitarian Law
Unit 5: Trafficking in Persons: A Threat to Human Security
Unit 6: Minority Rights: Religious and Ethnic Rights
Unit 7: The Role of NGOs in Enhancing Protection of International Human Rights
Unit 8: Monitoring and Enforcement of International Human Rights
Unit 9: Regional Human Rights Systems: Islamic Law and International Human Rights
Unit 10: Regional Human Rights Systems: The African System of Human Rights Protection
Unit 11: Regional Human Rights Systems: The European System of Human Rights Protection
Unit 12: Regional Human Rights Systems: The Inter-American System of Human Rights Protection The course is taught free of charge, in the English language, and the number of participants will be limited to 20 persons. The course is an interactive, discussion-based learning tool, and as such, students will be required to actively participate in online discussions. In addition, participants will be required to complete a 1-2 page exercise at the end of each of the twelve (12) course units, working independently for some of the units, and working in teams for others, so as to fully engage the students in a participatory learning process and foster participant interaction. This course envisions the instructor as a facilitator and moderator of a learning process, rather than a lecturer. At the end of the course, each participant will also be asked to submit a five (5) page case study analyzing an instance of successful implementation of human rights in their home countries. For this final assignment, participants will be requested to draw upon a variety of sources and experiences, including: court decisions, lobbying efforts by an NGO or group of NGOs, media intervention, and others. Successful final assignments will be compiled into a publication and made available to the participants and online via The Protection Project’s website so as to promote the exchange of experiences and share best practices. A Certificate of Participation from The Protection Project at The Johns Hopkins Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) will be granted to each student upon successful submission of all assignments. The course will be graded according to the following system: excellent; very good; good; and fair. Students receiving a grade of “excellent” for the course will receive a Certificate of Participation with Distinction. Students will be requested to complete a formal mid-term and a final evaluation of the course, however, continuous feedback throughout the course to the instructor will be encouraged. Course Eligibility Requirements: The course is open to students currently working toward an academic degree, as well as human rights practitioners. In order to be considered for the course, applicants are required to: - Be enrolled in an academic degree program or possess an academic degree from an accredited university.
- Be proficient in the English language.
- Demonstrate interest in international human rights. Applicants are required to submit a one (1) to two (2) - page statement of purpose (in the English language) describing 1) the applicant’s interest in human rights; 2) reasons for applying to take part in the course; 3) previous academic and/or professional experience that prepares the applicant for participating in a course dealing extensively with legal documents; 4) plans for incorporating knowledge gained in future academic and/or professional fields.
Application Instructions and Deadline: Candidates must submit the following documents in the English language (please allow time for a certified translation of relevant documents) by August 27, 2007, in order to be considered for the course (candidates will be notified of the decision by September 10, 2007, and the course will commence on September 24, 2007): - Completed application form;
- Documentation supporting English language proficiency (copies of TOEFL score (preferred) or a copy of an official university-conducted English language proficiency assessment, or other type of proficiency certificate obtained from an accredited language school, university, training institute, or a letter of reference from a certified English language instructor assessing the applicant’s level of language proficiency);
- Copies of all academic diplomas and transcripts;
- One passport photo;
- Statement of purpose, as described above;
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
All items should be directed by regular mail to the following address: Anna Koppel
The Protection Project International Human Rights Course
The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 504
Washington, DC 20036 You may also submit your applications by email to akoppel1@jhu.edu. Candidates are required to submit full applications ONLY, either by regular mail or by email. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Note to candidates submitting application via email: If you choose to send your application by email, please be sure to have all the necessary documents (such as copies of academic diplomas/transcripts/passport photos) scanned and emailed along with the other application materials. Please do not send some application materials by email and others by regular mail. Such applications will not be considered. Please direct any inquiries to Ms. Anna Koppel at akoppel1@jhu.edu. We look forward to having an interactive and fulfilling learning experience with you! | 
