ISHR Launches New Undergraduate Human Rights Major

by Audrey Kim, CC ‘13

Professor Andrew Nathan of Columbia University, faculty director of the human rights major; Kristina Eberbach, Director of Education Programs at ISHR

The Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) launched its new undergraduate human rights major this fall semester, providing an opportunity for undergraduates to focus and deepen their knowledge in human rights. The new major and concentration is a shift from the previously offered special concentration, which was only offered as a supplement to a major or concentration in other departments.

According to Professor Andrew Nathan, chair of the ISHR board and faculty director of the human rights major, the transition from the previous Center for the Study of Human Rights to ISHR gave it the capability to support a major and hire faculty like other departments. Professor Nathan explained the context of the decision, stating that “this major is consistent with the spirit of Columbia’s liberal arts education. Human rights is an intellectual subject that combines political science, theory, and international relations, and has real world importance and broad career prospects.” The interdisciplinary nature of the study of human rights is reflected in the major, as students are required to take a range of classes from three of four “core” categories in addition to their specialization: politics and history, culture and representation, political theory and philosophy, and social and economic processes.

Already there has been strong interest in the new Human Rights major. At an academic career fair early this semester, 80 undergraduates signed up for the UHRP listserv. Professor Nathan noted that over half of the 140 students in his Introduction to Human Rights class were interested in pursuing a career in human rights.

Kristina Eberbach, Director of Education Programs at ISHR, noted that she was impressed by the level of awareness and interest in human rights among undergraduate students. “As the study of human rights develops and the field becomes more professionalized, it is important to have a major at the undergraduate level,” she stressed. She also remarked that “Students will develop important critical thinking and analytical skills and the interdisciplinary approach allows students to explore their diverse interests within a human rights framework.”

In addition to the new major, there are many programs and events coordinated by ISHR that allow undergraduates to be part of the human rights academic community at Columbia, expanding their knowledge outside of the classroom. These occasions, such as film series and internship career panels, give students the opportunity to interact with practitioners and explore their interests. Ms. Eberbach added that ISHR is always willing to work with student groups on campus, such as CUSHR, an undergraduate student group that allows students to develop networks and skills for outreach and coordination on issues of interest.

Interested students are encouraged to contact ISHR, and sign up for the listserv to receive updates and information about the human rights community in Columbia University.

Undergraduate Human Rights Program
uhrp@columbia.edu
http://hrcolumbia.org/undergraduate/

Published in RightsNews Volume 30, no. 1, November, 2011.
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