Course Offerings

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). 

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.  

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. 

Undergraduate 8-day course where students worked with Srdja Popovic/CANVAS to earn a certificate in non-violence strategies and tactics.  

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.

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.

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.  

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.