Democratic Futures Project
Course Offerings
​ENWR 2510: Writing Democratic and Human Rights
Fall 2022
Undergraduate required writing course where students studied theories of democracy and non-violence, then worked with Myo Yan Naung Thein/Myanmar to develop two publications focused on democratic advocates in Myanmar (done in partnership with the Working and Writing for Change series) as well as a set of policy papers on the Myanmar’s need for international aid (done in partnership with the Myanmar American Federation).
ENWR 2510: Writing Democratic and Human Rights
Fall 2021
Undergraduate required writing course where students studied theories of democracy and non-violence then worked with Ubuntu Nest/South African and The Twiza Project/MENA region to conduct a series of written exchanges on the meaning of democracy and democratic advocacy in transnational contexts.
ENWR 2520: Global Advocacy, Democracy, and Public Narrative
J-Term 2021
Undergraduate 8-day course where 380 students worked with Srdja Popovic / CANVAS to study the theories and practices of non-violence. As part of the course, students discussed these issues with six globally recognized advocates, such as Johnson Yeung/Hong Kong. After the course, a small set of students were selected to produce an anthology of writing from the course, entitled, The Lived Experience of Democracy, published by the Working and Writing for Change series.
ENWR 2559: Writing Democracy, Enacting Democratic Struggles
J-Term 2022
Undergraduate 8-day course where students worked with Srdja Popovic/CANVAS to earn a certificate in non-violence strategies and tactics.
LAW9254: Human Rights Study Project
Fall 2023
The Human Rights Study Project (HRSP) is an immersive yearlong course, spanning three credits, designed to equip students with the necessary skills to engage in comprehensive human rights research and contribute to original scholarship in the field. With a particular focus on Kenya for the 2023/24 academic year, the HRSP comprises three primary components, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience. During the fall term, participants of the project will gather weekly for a seminar-style discussion. Through these engaging sessions, students will delve into the analysis of specific investigative techniques while critically examining practicalities and ethical considerations associated with human rights research. The J-Term provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in guided fieldwork, reinforcing their understanding of human rights in practice. Under the guidance of faculty, students will immerse themselves in the Kenyan context, focusing on the vital issues of economic and social rights, particularly concerning access to healthcare and justice for victims of gender-based violence and individuals with mental disabilities. In the spring term, students will consolidate their fieldwork experiences and insights by crafting individual research papers. The HRSP strategically leverages the Ampath agreement, of which UVA is a member, as a valuable ally in the pursuit of human rights advocacy. Building upon this partnership, the project will facilitate meaningful connections with local activists, scholars, and policy experts during the week-long trip to Kenya in the winter term.
LAW8638: International Human Rights Law Clinic
Fall 2023
The International Human Rights Law Clinic is an intensive, year-long course that offers students an unparalleled opportunity to contribute towards effecting tangible change in the global human rights landscape. Through hands-on involvement in cutting-edge human rights projects, students will collaborate with esteemed international entities and partners, including the United Nations and the Organization of American States, Fair Trials in Washington DC, the Center for Justice and Accountability, and the Legal Aid of Eldoret in Kenya. The clinic demands a significant time commitment. Students should expect to dedicate 10-12 hours per week for clinic-related activities, including team meetings, research, collaboration with partners, and travel (if applicable). This course is strongly recommended for students who are deeply committed to human rights advocacy and seek to cultivate a rich repertoire of skills and experiences to empower their future legal careers.
ENWR 2510: Writing Democracy: The Case of Myanmar
Spring 2022
Undergraduate required writing course where students studied theories of democracy and non-violence. With support of Vice-Provost for Global Affairs, the students worked directly with Srdja Popovic/CANVAS to learn non-violent strategies and tactics. Students then worked with Myo Yan Naung Thein to develop a publication, The People Want Democracy, based upon student-led interviews with internally displaced Myanmar citizens living on the Thai border.
ENWR 2510: Writing Democratic and Human Rights
Spring 2021
Undergraduate required writing course where students studied theories of democracy and non-violence then engaged in dialogue with Algerian students who were part of the The Twiza Project/MENA region. The students then worked on the publication Equality and Democracy, in Arabic and English, published by Working and Writing for Change.
ENWR 2520: Democracy, Religion, and Non-Violence: Public Writers in Authoritarian Contexts
Fall 2022
Undergraduate required course where students studied theories of democracy, non-violence, and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, then worked with Evan Mawarire/#ThisFlag, Zimbabwe to provide research and written documents to support development of Pastor Advocacy Institute for Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
ENWR 8559: Graduate Pedagogy on Community/Democratic-based Pedagogies
Fall 2022
Semester long investigation of the history of community-based pedagogies, within and beyond the university. As part of the course, students interacted with Jhanisse Vaca-Daza/Bolivia, Srdja Popovic/Serbia, Evan Mawarire/Zimbabwe and Myo Yan Naungn Thein/Myanmar.
LAW9359: Current Issues in Human Rights Law
Fall 2021
This is the first half of a year-long seminar exploring important current topics and issues in international human rights law. The first few classes will offer a broad overview of the international human rights system. The remainder of the sessions will focus on important current topics in selected areas of human rights, such as freedom of speech and social media, poverty and human rights, digital surveillance and privacy rights, and the possibility of transitional justice and reparations for slavery in the U.S.