Human Rights Study Project (YR)

LAW9254
Section 1, Fall 24

Schedule Information

Enrollment: /6
Credits: 1
Days Time Room Start Date End Date

Mon

 		1130-1250 WB129

Course Description

The Human Rights Study Project (HRSP) is a yearlong course that prepares students to conduct human rights research and produce original scholarship. The HRSP has three main components. During the fall term, project participants meet weekly for a seminar-style discussion to analyze specific investigative techniques and reflect on practicalities and ethical concerns in human rights research. Over the winter break (J-Term), students perform guided fieldwork. Finally, students write individual papers and present their findings in the spring term. The 2024/5 Human Rights Studies Program (HRSP) will focus on the significant lessons from the Global Indigenous Rights Movement for human rights advocacy. The International Indigenous Rights Movement, a burgeoning force advocating for indigenous rights in the face of marginalization, discrimination, and oppression, focuses on critical issues like land rights, cultural preservation, and environmental justice. With resilience and notable achievements such as the UN Declaration on Indigenous Rights, indigenous communities offer valuable insights for mainstream human rights advocacy, prompting a comprehensive examination of prioritized concerns and strategies employed by the movement. To facilitate this exploration, the HRSP will collaborate with traditional leaders of the Sarayaku People. Nestled in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Sarayaku community has long been at the forefront of defending their lands and heritage. Their groundbreaking legal victory at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights against the Ecuadorian government, regarding unauthorized oil exploration, stands as a pivotal moment in indigenous rights advocacy. Beyond legal battles, the Sarayaku people continue their struggle to maintain autonomy amidst the encroachment of extractive industries. During the winter break, participants will embark on a week-long journey to Sarayaku territory, engaging with and learning from a diverse array of Sarayaku community leaders.

Course Requirements

Exam Information

Final Type (if any): None

Description: None

Written Work Product

Students will prepare for human rights fieldwork including interviewing techniques, fact-finding, and the practicalities of human rights research. During the Spring semester, after the completion of the fieldwork undertaken during Winter break, students will draft a paper, due via EXPO on or before noon on April 25, 2025. NOTE: the paper cannot be used for the Upper Level Writing Requirement unless a student will have satisfied their Prof. Skills requirement already, AND only if the student submits the Upper-Level Writing "Special Request" form (available via LawWeb) by February 25, 2025.

Other Work

Students will perform fieldwork during winter break.

Other Course Details

Prerequisites: International Human Rights Law is recommended, but not required. Because the credits in this course count toward the JD Program Professional Skills requirement, JD candidates will be given enrollment priority for this class. Concurrencies: None

Exclusive With: None

Laptops Allowed: Yes

First Day Attendance Required: No

Course Resources: To be announced.

Course Notes: Enrollment in this year-long course is determined by application to the instructor. Interested students must send a resume and a 2-page essay explaining their reasons for wanting to take the course. Students must email their applications to Professor Camilo Sanchez (csanchez@law.virginia.edu) no later than July 9, 2024. Admitted students will be notified of acceptance shortly thereafter. SRO will enroll the students selected for participation in the HRSP. No enrollment action will be required by the student. Please, bear in mind that (1) space in the Project is limited. If the number of applications exceeds the number of slots available, some applicants will be denied admission for lack of space, and (2) by submitting your application, you give your commitment that if granted enrollment in the course, you will carry through with participation in the program throughout the coming academic year. All international travel undertaken by students for University-related purposes is subject to the UVA Policy on Student International Travel, so the trip and logistical details (travel and lodging arrangements, etc) are subject to restrictions and/or cancellation by the University at any time. Students are urged to review the "Study Abroad Guidelines" on LawWeb, and failing to adhere to pre-departure advice and guidance could result in a student being withdrawn from the course without course credit. CREDITS: This year-long course carries 3 credits -- 1 earned at the conclusion of the fall term on a Satisfactory (S)/Unsatisfactory (U) basis, and 2 earned at the conclusion of the spring term on a letter-graded basis.

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: Yes

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: Yes

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 124818031

Modified Type: Simulation (Excl.)

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: Human Rights and Immigration

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Opens: Friday, November 22, 12:01 AM

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Closes: Friday, December 06, 11:59 PM

Information reflected on this page was last refreshed at: Friday, June 28, 2024 - 7:02 AM *

*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.