International Human Rights Certificate

Human rights, rarely discussed at all until recently, are today at the center of political debate from Bosnia to South Africa, from East Timor to Moscow. The certificate in international human rights is the University's response to the crisis in human rights protection.

The certificate provides a curricular path to a greater understanding of international human rights standards and problems, and institutions that foster or threaten human rights. It helps students decide whether to pursue a career or further education in this or a related field.

Webster University, with its Human Rights Education Project, Center for International Education, Center for Ethics and international campuses, is uniquely qualified to offer students an international perspective on human rights.

Completion of the certificate requires 18 credit hours, including two courses especially designed for the certificate program

HRTS 1100 Introduction to Human Rights 3 hours
HRTS 3590 Theories of Human Rights 3 hours (generally cross-listed with PHIL 3590 and/or POLT 3590

and one course from each of three following groups. Each group represents areas that have much to offer in understanding human rights. The courses have been chosen to introduce students to the type of contribution these disciplines offer.

History, Politics, and Law

HIST 2450 Third World 3 hours
HRTS 1500 Current Problems in Human Rights 3 hours
HRTS 3500 International Human Rights Law 3 hours
POLT 1080 Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 hours
POLT 2550 The Politics of Development 3 hours
INTL 1500 The World System Since 1500 3 hours
INTL 2030 International Law 3 hours
INTL 3300 Governments and Politics of Eastern Europe 3 hours

Behavioral and Social Sciences

ANSO 1070 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 hours
ANSO 2000 Issues in Contemporary Society: Sociocultural Factors behind Migration and Refugee Movements 1–4 hours
ANSO 3400 Gender and Sex Roles 3 hours
ANSO 3930 Social Differentiation 3 hours
ANSO 3960 Ethnic and Minority Relations 3 hours
HRTS 3210 Prejudice and Discrimination 3 hours
HRTS 3600 Genocide and the Holocaust 3 hours
HRTS 3700 Human Rights and Business 3 hours

Communications, English, Philosophy and Religious Studies

ENGL 1060 Protest Literature 3 hours
HRTS 3160 Human Rights in Film: Documentaries 3 hours
HRTS 3170 Human Rights in Film: Narrative Film 3 hours
HRTS 3200 Human Rights in Latin America 3 hours
HRTS 3400 Human Rights and the Environment 3 hours
MULC 2010 American Cultural Pluralism 3 hours
MEDC 2800 Cultural Diversity in the Media 3 hours
PHIL 2320 Contemporary Moral Problems: Emphasis in Global Moral Issues 3 hours
RELG 2050 Religion and Human Values 3 hours

In addition, a practicum or internship is required, preferably done outside the United States, with an organization engaged in human rights research, protection or advocacy. To satisfy this requirement, students enroll in HRTS 4500 Human Rights Field Experience. Demonstration of competence in a foreign language equivalent to two years of college-level study is also required.