2008 Woodie Awards
Human rights degree unique to Webster
By: Kirk Watkins
Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News
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In spring 2005, Webster University became the first university in the United States to offer an undergraduate degree in international human rights. Previously, there had not been an undergraduate degree for human rights offered in any university in the United States, and Webster University had only offered a minor or a certificate in international human rights.
Art Sandler, a professor of philosophy and director of the Human Rights Education Project at Webster, said the United States had been slow to recognize this field of study because it sees itself as better, or different, and doesn't think there are human rights issues to contend with inside its borders. He pointed out that although the United States is lucky to enjoy a decent justice system and opportunities for free expression and free religion, there are still issues like health care, housing and racial discrimination that need to be addressed.
The human rights program was initially started to address a perceived need in the United States to have qualified personnel to work in non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International, or the School of the Americas Watch.
"A lot of NGOs are not for profit, but they might sell T-shirts or something like that," said Krista Schilling, a sophomore human rights major. "People donate to them and they are tax exempt and is usually just a group of people who are working for some kind of social change."
Part of the curriculum for the program include business courses designed to teach businesses how to be profitable and grow, while focusing on helping people. Other supplemental courses in the program include selections from philosophy, anthropology, political theory, English and ethics.
Required courses for the program include Introduction to Human Rights, Current Problems in Human Rights, International Human Rights and Theories of Human Rights. After completing these courses, students are required to do a field project and a Senior Overview. They also have to choose either Social and Political Philosophy or Introduction to Political Theory as a required course for the major.
Art Sandler, a professor of philosophy and director of the Human Rights Education Project at Webster, said the United States had been slow to recognize this field of study because it sees itself as better, or different, and doesn't think there are human rights issues to contend with inside its borders. He pointed out that although the United States is lucky to enjoy a decent justice system and opportunities for free expression and free religion, there are still issues like health care, housing and racial discrimination that need to be addressed.
The human rights program was initially started to address a perceived need in the United States to have qualified personnel to work in non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International, or the School of the Americas Watch.
"A lot of NGOs are not for profit, but they might sell T-shirts or something like that," said Krista Schilling, a sophomore human rights major. "People donate to them and they are tax exempt and is usually just a group of people who are working for some kind of social change."
Part of the curriculum for the program include business courses designed to teach businesses how to be profitable and grow, while focusing on helping people. Other supplemental courses in the program include selections from philosophy, anthropology, political theory, English and ethics.
Required courses for the program include Introduction to Human Rights, Current Problems in Human Rights, International Human Rights and Theories of Human Rights. After completing these courses, students are required to do a field project and a Senior Overview. They also have to choose either Social and Political Philosophy or Introduction to Political Theory as a required course for the major.
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