Multi-department Effort Leads To New Human Rights Option

Beginning this year, 16 campus departments at the University of Cincinnati are joining forces to offer undergraduates a certificate in international human rights.

The certificate is currently available through the College of Arts and Sciences and the Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights in the College of Law, America’s oldest endowed human rights institute.

Howard Tolley, a professor of political science who is the new certificate’s architect, says it is important that such a certificate be offered, especially since allegations of torture by the United States continue to produce student interest in human rights.

"For the past 25 years, academic interest in international human rights has grown steadily," he says. "As a former student [of the Morgan Institute] I was encouraged to take advantage of that well established center."

He expects an influx in program enrollment for Spring Quarter when news of the program reaches students, anticipating that up to 50 students may enroll for the quarter. Two seniors preparing for June graduation have already enrolled.

"When I floated the idea there was a considerable amount of student enthusiasm," says Tolley.

A core class for the certificate, Politics of Human Rights, will be offered Spring Quarter, as well.

"Students can take the course even if they are not enrolled for the certificate in the spring," Tolley says. "They can have a taste and decide if it’s for them."

Approved last December, the new certificate program involves nearly 30 faculty members from five colleges and will address issues such as genocide, torture, racism, violence against women, forced labor and other gross violations of human rights.

Tolley estimates that students enrolled in social science, humanities, natural science and pre-professional majors at UC will find the human rights certificate applicable to their studies.

Certificate candidates should enroll in the program prior to their senior year, but the director will consider exceptions for applicants six months prior to graduation.

In addition, forms are available to request approval for a senior project with a human rights focus or appropriate internship, service learning, or study abroad credits.

More information, including a certificate enrollment form, is available at http://www.law.uc.edu/morgan/ihrc