2008 Woodie Awards
Human rights degree unique to Webster
By: Kirk Watkins
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: News
Students in the program are required to display foreign language competence. They can do this either by taking 12 sequential credit hours of a foreign language, or by passing an intermediate-level proficiency examination. Students whose native language is not English may be waived.
Sandler is the architect of the program. He devised the first human rights classes and put together the beginnings of a curriculum. He also pushed for the creation of the undergraduate major, although he admits that he did not create the program by himself.
"There are a number of people at Webster who I discussed this with who made important contributions," Sandler said. "There are people doing similar kinds of work at other universities, and I've learned from a wide variety of people."
He named Linda Woolf, professor of behavioral and social sciences, and Kelly-Kate Pease, associate professor of history, politics and international relations as two of the faculty members instrumental in developing the Human Rights curriculum.
Sandler said Webster's flexibility in creating majors helped him get the program running.
"Webster has always allowed for innovation, and it has a core of faculty that is deeply committed to social justice," Sandler said. "There is also a lack of bureaucracy to block new ideas."
Another current human rights instructor is Sarita Cargas, assistant director of the HREP and director of educational projects. Sandler credits her with being an inspirational figure.
"She came into program that was small but established and cast a fresh eye on it, and has been a tremendous contributor," Sandler said. "She had very little to do with putting it together, but she has had a fair bit to do with invigorating it and giving it a brighter future."
Cargas is currently teaching Current Issues in Human Rights courses at the Webster Campus in Geneva.
Sandra Lemeniate, a freshman human rights major, was a beneficiary of Cargas' efforts.
Sandler is the architect of the program. He devised the first human rights classes and put together the beginnings of a curriculum. He also pushed for the creation of the undergraduate major, although he admits that he did not create the program by himself.
"There are a number of people at Webster who I discussed this with who made important contributions," Sandler said. "There are people doing similar kinds of work at other universities, and I've learned from a wide variety of people."
He named Linda Woolf, professor of behavioral and social sciences, and Kelly-Kate Pease, associate professor of history, politics and international relations as two of the faculty members instrumental in developing the Human Rights curriculum.
Sandler said Webster's flexibility in creating majors helped him get the program running.
"Webster has always allowed for innovation, and it has a core of faculty that is deeply committed to social justice," Sandler said. "There is also a lack of bureaucracy to block new ideas."
Another current human rights instructor is Sarita Cargas, assistant director of the HREP and director of educational projects. Sandler credits her with being an inspirational figure.
"She came into program that was small but established and cast a fresh eye on it, and has been a tremendous contributor," Sandler said. "She had very little to do with putting it together, but she has had a fair bit to do with invigorating it and giving it a brighter future."
Cargas is currently teaching Current Issues in Human Rights courses at the Webster Campus in Geneva.
Sandra Lemeniate, a freshman human rights major, was a beneficiary of Cargas' efforts.
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