Call for applications
Course 8E10: Introduction to Human Rights Education
3 February-20 April 2010 | Application deadline: 1 December 2009
Course instructor: Felisa Tibbitts

The course will introduce the international field of human rights education (HRE), including presentations of programming approaches, teaching and learning resources, and related theory. The course is intended for educators and trainers working in both the formal and non-formal sectors. Participants will be assisted in the development of a curriculum, training, or plan to use these skills to further their organisation's advocacy efforts. Participants might be expected to apply these skills within formal education settings, for staff development within their own organisations, and for outreach and advocacy.

The course has the following sequence. First, it will introduce the human rights framework and programming approaches and teaching materials in use worldwide. This will be followed by a presentation of interactive teaching methods and related pedagogical theory. Participants will then explore discipline-based approaches to HRE, examining programming and sample materials that come from the social sciences, the humanities and the sciences. This will be complemented by an examination of "issue" oriented education and advocacy approaches to HRE, drawing examples from children's rights, women's rights and the rights of minorities. Several sessions will be devoted to building the skills of participants, by reviewing how to develop a learning experience and integration of assessments.

The course involves approximately 50 hours of reading, on-line working groups, webinars, interaction among students and instructors, and assignments, and is offered over a 11-week period beginning on 3 February 2010. This course will integrate active and participatory learning approaches within activities and assignments, with an emphasis on reflective and collaborative learning. Participants will do the required reading, prepare interim and final project assignments and participate in group discussions.

The maximum number of course participants is 25. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Participation. It is also possible to audit the course.

Course outline

Week 1. Orientation to the course
Week 2. Introduction to human rights
Week 3. Introduction to human rights education
Week 4. Models and methods of teaching HRE
Week 5. “Open week”
Week 6. HRE and the social sciences
Week 7. HRE and the humanities
Week 8. HRE and the sciences
Week 9. Developing learning activities
Week 10. HRE Approaches for children's rights
Week 11. HRE Approaches for women's human rights

Further information about the course and an on-line application can be found at: http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=555&language_id=1 

The application deadline for this course is 1 December 2009.