Course : Introduction to Human Rights Education

course : Introduction to Human Rights Education

12 September-4 December 2007

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 nonformal 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, use the Internet for resources and integration of assessments.

The course involves approximately 60 hours of reading, on-line working groups, interaction among students and instructors, and assignments, and is offered over a 12-week period beginning on 12 September. 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
Weeks 1-4: Introduction
Week 1. Orientation to the courseWeek 2. Introduction to Human RightsWeek 3. Introduction to Human Rights EducationWeek 4. Models and methods of teaching HRE
Weeks 5-7: Discipline-based Approaches to Human Rights Education
Week 5. HRE and the Social SciencesWeek 6. HRE and the HumanitiesWeek 7. HRE and the Sciences
Weeks 8-9: Practical Tools for HRE
Week 8. Developing Learning ActivitiesWeek 9. Finding Resources and Integrating Use of the Internet
Weeks 10-12: Issue-Oriented Education and Advocacy Approaches
Week 10. HRE Approaches for Children's RightsWeek 11. HRE Approaches for Women's RightsWeek 12. HRE Approaches for Minority rights/non-discrimination

About the instructor
Felisa Tibbitts is co-founder and director of Human Rights Education Associates (HREA). Ms. Tibbitts has worked with local educators and curriculum writers in developing national HRE programs in schooling systems in numerous countries in Central/Eastern Europe. She has participated in HRE trainings in over a dozen countries and consults with inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental agencies about HRE programs. Ms. Tibbitts has published numerous articles on HRE, focusing primarily on policy and applied research. She holds a BA degree and two masters degrees (Public Policy; Education) from Harvard University.

Who should apply
The course is intended for educators and trainers working in secondary schools and adult learning environments. Candidates should have a good written command of English and have high competence and comfort with computers and Internet use. HREA aims to ensure equal gender and geographical distribution across the selected participants.

Costs
The course tuition fee is € 525 for residents of OECD countries* and € 200 for permanent residents of non-OECD countries. Tuition for auditors is € 200 for residents of OECD countries and € 70 for permanent residents of non-OECD countries. There are no scholarships available for this course.

* Current member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States.

Application
The deadline for applications has been extended until 1 July 2007. Applications received after that day unfortunately cannot be accepted. Successful applicants will be notified by 7 July 2007. Full tuition payment for accepted participants is due on 1 August 2007.

forms
Application form (in Word)

Application form (in PDF format)