Human Rights Center | Past Courses

Human Rights and Methods for Human Rights Investigations
IAS 255 seminar for Rotary Peace Fellows

Instructors:
Rachel Shigekane, Human Rights Center, Director of Programs
Phuong Pham, Human Rights Center, Director of Research

Many experts believe that peace and human rights are inextricably linked; the only way to achieve a lasting peace is to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights. This course critically examines international human rights in the context of preparing Rotary Peace Fellows to develop, implement or study mechanisms intended to promote peace and security, equality, and reduce poverty and suffering.

The first half of the course will examine emerging issues in human rights that will have a global impact over the course of the next several decades; these issues include war crimes, justice, resource allocation, climate change, access to health, and human trafficking. These issues will be examined through case studies and current research.

The second half of the course will introduce students to methodologies used in human rights fieldwork and prepare students to pursue further methodological coursework that may be required to engage in human rights research, or policy and advocacy work. Specifically, the course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of research as they exist across disciplines (but often with differing terminology). The primary emphasis will be on active student participation in reviewing the literature in his or her area of interest, choosing a research question, and developing a protocol to answer that research question. If done successfully, the project could form the foundation of a summer internship.

Download the course syllabus or contact Professor Shigekane with any questions.

Justice and Accountability in Times of War, Genocide, and Terrorism
Rhetoric 167 & International and Area Studies 150

Professor David Cohen
Rhetoric/War Crimes Studies Center

Professor Eric Stover
Law/Public Health/Human Rights Center

In the aftermath of World War II, an era of post-colonial conflicts, civil wars and “Cold War,” transformed our understanding of war as an armed contest between nations states, carried on principally through conventional military campaigns waged by national armies. At the same time, as international lawyers struggled to adapt the norms of the laws of war to the horrors of the Second World War (in the 1948 Genocide Convention and the 1949 Geneva Conventions) and to new forms of mass violence directed largely against civilian populations. By the 1990s, the international community had turned to mechanisms of international criminal justice to restore peace and order for the first time since the Tokyo and Nuremberg tribunals. Yet, at the dawn of the 21st Century many of these international norms, especially the Geneva Conventions, are now under threat as the United States and other nations embark on a “war against terrorism.”

This upper division undergraduate course will use an interdisciplinary lens to examine these transformations and our understanding of the violence of modern conflicts and its affects on survivors and communities. The course will use a seminar format (enrollment limit of 20) to ensure full participation in discussions and ample opportunity to engage our guest speakers. Drawing upon a variety of texts, as well as the visual media of film, art, and photography, we will study the ways in which writers, historians, philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, artists, journalists, jurists, and forensic scientists have contributed to our understanding of wartime atrocities and their affects on society. We will examine war crimes committed in modern conflicts, ranging from WWII in Asia and Europe to Vietnam, Cambodia, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, and Iraq. We will discuss the ways in which different academic disciplines and professions have tried to explain and analyze the causes and nature of war crimes (including genocide and crimes against humanity); to document and focus the world’s attention upon them through a variety of methodologies and media; and to locate responsibility for their perpetration within the complex interplay of military, political, and cultural institutions.

International Human Rights in Theory and Practice
Peace and Conflict Studies 126
Professor Rachel Shigekane
Course syllabus in Word format.

Course Overview: Within the last several decades, the concept of international human rights has become widely referred to and increasingly popular. This is particularly true with the creation of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in 1993, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1994 and the creation of the International Criminal Court in July 2002, the first permanent court established to bring to justice individuals who commit the most serious violations of international law, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

This course surveys the field of international human rights. It will provide students with an overview of the historical, theoretical, political and legal underpinnings that have shaped and continue to shape the development of human rights. We will discuss where the concept of human rights originates, how these ideas have been memorialized in international declarations and covenants, and how they develop over time and are enforced and monitored. We will also examine a variety of issues, some controversial, that fall under the rubric of human rights. The overall goal of the course is to encourage students to analyze the events of the world and of our community through an international human rights framework.

The course will not only introduce students to substantive topics within human rights but will provide an opportunity to develop critical thinking, oral presentation, research, and writing skills. The course is designed to encourage discussion and to raise many more questions than it will answer.

Health and Human Rights
Public Health 211

Professor Vincent Iacopino, MD, PhD
Public Health/Human Rights Center

Assistant Professor Sheri Weiser, MD, MPH
UCSF/Center for AIDS Prevention Studies
Assistant Instructor, Lecturer

In recent years, health practitioners have increasingly recognized human rights as essential conditions for individual and community health. This course outlines conceptual linkages between health and human rights and provides students with practical knowledge and skills to prevent and alleviate human suffering caused by human rights violations. It also enables students to apply a rights–based approach in the development of health policies and practices.

Using a health and human rights framework, we examine a wide range of issues that affect health and human dignity including armed conflict, war crimes, forced migration, torture and other forms of ill treatment, poverty, the economic policies and the practices of international financial institutions and multinational corporations, public health policies, environmental degradation, the “war on terror,” and the problem of US exceptionalism. The course also provides a critical analysis of the psychology of abuse and the relationship between bioethics and human rights.

As we develop an understanding of the health consequences of unrealized social, economic and cultural rights and abuses of civil and political rights, we also identify effective prevention and accountability strategies to promote health and human dignity. We consider the role of health professionals and other health promoters in: documenting human rights violations, treating survivors of state-sponsored abuse, and addressing the specific human rights concerns of women, children, refugees, people living with HIV/AIDS, and other vulnerable populations.

The course is often instrumental in broadening students’ understandings of health and in transforming their health practices to include human rights and dignity.

Introduction to Research Methods in Human Rights Investigations
IAS 240
Professor Patrick Vinck

Over the last two decades, societies have increasingly embraced the enforcement of international human rights norms and demanded greater accountability when confronted with intrastate mass violence, war or transition from repressive rule, as illustrated by the creation of various international tribunals. A large body of literature has emerged to document violations and the applied legal, political, and practical dimensions of human rights. This course is designed to familiarize students with research methods as source of data for the study of principles, policies, and practices. For more information, visit the IAS Teaching Program website.


IN THIS SECTION Upcoming Courses Current Courses Past Courses Related Courses	COURSES Past Courses - A Select List Human Rights and Methods for Human Rights Investigations IAS 255 seminar for Rotary Peace Fellows Instructors: Rachel Shigekane, Human Rights Center, Director of Programs Phuong Pham, Human Rights Center, Director of Research Many experts believe that peace and human rights are inextricably linked; the only way to achieve a lasting peace is to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights. This course critically examines international human rights in the context of preparing Rotary Peace Fellows to develop, implement or study mechanisms intended to promote peace and security, equality, and reduce poverty and suffering. The first half of the course will examine emerging issues in human rights that will have a global impact over the course of the next several decades; these issues include war crimes, justice, resource allocation, climate change, access to health, and human trafficking. These issues will be examined through case studies and current research. The second half of the course will introduce students to methodologies used in human rights fieldwork and prepare students to pursue further methodological coursework that may be required to engage in human rights research, or policy and advocacy work. Specifically, the course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of research as they exist across disciplines (but often with differing terminology). The primary emphasis will be on active student participation in reviewing the literature in his or her area of interest, choosing a research question, and developing a protocol to answer that research question. If done successfully, the project could form the foundation of a summer internship. Download the course syllabus or contact Professor Shigekane with any questions. Justice and Accountability in Times of War, Genocide, and Terrorism Rhetoric 167 & International and Area Studies 150 Professor David Cohen Rhetoric/War Crimes Studies Center Professor Eric Stover Law/Public Health/Human Rights Center In the aftermath of World War II, an era of post-colonial conflicts, civil wars and “Cold War,” transformed our understanding of war as an armed contest between nations states, carried on principally through conventional military campaigns waged by national armies. At the same time, as international lawyers struggled to adapt the norms of the laws of war to the horrors of the Second World War (in the 1948 Genocide Convention and the 1949 Geneva Conventions) and to new forms of mass violence directed largely against civilian populations. By the 1990s, the international community had turned to mechanisms of international criminal justice to restore peace and order for the first time since the Tokyo and Nuremberg tribunals. Yet, at the dawn of the 21st Century many of these international norms, especially the Geneva Conventions, are now under threat as the United States and other nations embark on a “war against terrorism.” This upper division undergraduate course will use an interdisciplinary lens to examine these transformations and our understanding of the violence of modern conflicts and its affects on survivors and communities. The course will use a seminar format (enrollment limit of 20) to ensure full participation in discussions and ample opportunity to engage our guest speakers. Drawing upon a variety of texts, as well as the visual media of film, art, and photography, we will study the ways in which writers, historians, philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, artists, journalists, jurists, and forensic scientists have contributed to our understanding of wartime atrocities and their affects on society. We will examine war crimes committed in modern conflicts, ranging from WWII in Asia and Europe to Vietnam, Cambodia, Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia, and Iraq. We will discuss the ways in which different academic disciplines and professions have tried to explain and analyze the causes and nature of war crimes (including genocide and crimes against humanity); to document and focus the world’s attention upon them through a variety of methodologies and media; and to locate responsibility for their perpetration within the complex interplay of military, political, and cultural institutions. International Human Rights in Theory and Practice Peace and Conflict Studies 126 Professor Rachel Shigekane Course syllabus in Word format. Course Overview: Within the last several decades, the concept of international human rights has become widely referred to and increasingly popular. This is particularly true with the creation of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in 1993, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1994 and the creation of the International Criminal Court in July 2002, the first permanent court established to bring to justice individuals who commit the most serious violations of international law, namely war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. This course surveys the field of international human rights. It will provide students with an overview of the historical, theoretical, political and legal underpinnings that have shaped and continue to shape the development of human rights. We will discuss where the concept of human rights originates, how these ideas have been memorialized in international declarations and covenants, and how they develop over time and are enforced and monitored. We will also examine a variety of issues, some controversial, that fall under the rubric of human rights. The overall goal of the course is to encourage students to analyze the events of the world and of our community through an international human rights framework. The course will not only introduce students to substantive topics within human rights but will provide an opportunity to develop critical thinking, oral presentation, research, and writing skills. The course is designed to encourage discussion and to raise many more questions than it will answer. Health and Human Rights Public Health 211 Professor Vincent Iacopino, MD, PhD Public Health/Human Rights Center Assistant Professor Sheri Weiser, MD, MPH UCSF/Center for AIDS Prevention Studies Assistant Instructor, Lecturer In recent years, health practitioners have increasingly recognized human rights as essential conditions for individual and community health. This course outlines conceptual linkages between health and human rights and provides students with practical knowledge and skills to prevent and alleviate human suffering caused by human rights violations. It also enables students to apply a rights–based approach in the development of health policies and practices. Using a health and human rights framework, we examine a wide range of issues that affect health and human dignity including armed conflict, war crimes, forced migration, torture and other forms of ill treatment, poverty, the economic policies and the practices of international financial institutions and multinational corporations, public health policies, environmental degradation, the “war on terror,” and the problem of US exceptionalism. The course also provides a critical analysis of the psychology of abuse and the relationship between bioethics and human rights. As we develop an understanding of the health consequences of unrealized social, economic and cultural rights and abuses of civil and political rights, we also identify effective prevention and accountability strategies to promote health and human dignity. We consider the role of health professionals and other health promoters in: documenting human rights violations, treating survivors of state-sponsored abuse, and addressing the specific human rights concerns of women, children, refugees, people living with HIV/AIDS, and other vulnerable populations. The course is often instrumental in broadening students’ understandings of health and in transforming their health practices to include human rights and dignity. Introduction to Research Methods in Human Rights Investigations IAS 240 Professor Patrick Vinck Over the last two decades, societies have increasingly embraced the enforcement of international human rights norms and demanded greater accountability when confronted with intrastate mass violence, war or transition from repressive rule, as illustrated by the creation of various international tribunals. A large body of literature has emerged to document violations and the applied legal, political, and practical dimensions of human rights. This course is designed to familiarize students with research methods as source of data for the study of principles, policies, and practices. For more information, visit the IAS Teaching Program website.