Human Rights & Conflict Resolution in Europe
Navigate this Page
What You Need to Know
Set in Strasbourg, home to the Council of Europe, this program offers you the opportunity to learn firsthand about European approaches to human rights and conflict resolution. How does the Strasbourg-based Court of Human Rights deal with controversies concerning such issues as marriage, divorce, property rights, torture, fair trial, homosexuality and religious freedom? How are European governments and NGOs working to resolve military conflicts and, when possible, to prevent them?
The proximity to the Council and the Court means that through visits, meetings, and attendance at an actual court hearing, you will be able to get a close-up look at the workings of two major international organizations. And your professors, as practitioners with many years of experience, will provide you with unique perspectives on how to deal with human rights abuses and conflict situations.
The Council of Europe was established after the end of World War II to ensure that the continent would never again allow such a catastrophe to nearly destroy it. Its role is to protect and foster human rights, pluralistic democracy and the rule of law in its 47 member states. The European Court of Human Rights, which is connected to the Council, acts to enforce the rights enshrined in the “European Convention of Human Rights.” Since its inception, the Court has proven to be one of the world's most effective bodies in guaranteeing the protection of human rights to all citizens and residents of Europe. Students will become familiar with the standards and workings of these institutions.
Field Trips
There will be guided excursions to Alsace, the Struthof Camp, and the Black Forest, arranged by SU Abroad for all SU Abroad summer programs in Strasbourg. The cost of these trips is included in the program fee.
Students are required to take both of the following courses.
European Human Rights
(PSC, 400.1/600.1/IRP 400.1/600.1, 3 credits, undergraduate and graduate)
Issues of human rights are at the heart of debates in the countries of Europe as these societies undergo rapid transformation and consider the form of the "new Europe." This course will delve into these issues, which reveal much about the culture, morals and values of the residents of Europe. It will begin with a general introduction to European human rights standards and present some of the Council of Europe mechanisms engaged in their application. It will then focus on specific rights, such as the prohibition of torture, the death penalty, freedom of expression and the right to family and private life. Next the course will turn to the question of minority protection examining issues of equality, non-discrimination and "minority rights." Students will have an opportunity to study and observe the European Court of Human Rights in action and participate in a "moot court" activity.
Throughout the course, the particular difficulties faced by various minority groups in Europe will be explored. Graduate students will select a case study of a minority situation of interest to them, and bring it into discussions as different human rights issues are explored. Examples of case studies could be Roma in the Czech Republic, the Tatars in Ukraine, language rights in Moldova, "Islamophobia" in the UK, North Africans in France, Albanians in Macedonia, return of Serbs in Croatia, etc.
Conflict Resolution in Europe
(PSC, 400.2/ 600.2/IRP 400.2/600.2, 3 credits, undergraduate and graduate)
This course will introduce students to the complexity of conflict, its origin and role in human society from earliest times to today, and as a backdrop to modern conflict resolution. The course will examine the similarities and differences between various kinds of conflict -- personal, domestic, community, racial, religious, violent and non-violent, physical and psychological. Through detailed analysis of different types of actual conflicts, we will try to determine to what extent these were the inevitable outcome of certain situations or, rather, the result of deliberate choices and decisions. The role of the modern media in conflict will also be examined. Informed about the reasons behind the origin of conflict students will go on to examine different forms of conflict resolution and attempt to apply such resolutions to current conflicts. Examples will be drawn from conflicts in Europe and the Middle East as well as students personal experiences.
After looking into the nature of different conflicts, collision of rights and interests, as well as the role of conflict in the evolution of societies and states, the course will analyze the present role and potential of international organizations in resolving civil wars and military conflicts. This will be exemplified by a series of actions taken by the Council of Europe in the following conflicts: (1) Bosnia: post conflict stabilization; (2) Kosovo: conflict mediation; (3) Chechnya: intervention and monitoring.
Lanna Hollo who holds a law degree from McGill University, worked at the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) in Strasbourg before becoming an independent consultant in the area of human rights.She has recently completed projects for such NGOs at The Open Society and the Roma Rights Center.
Jorgen Johansen has worked for nearly thirty years as an international consultant and trainer in conflict prevention and resolution. He has also held academic appointments at several major European universities.
This program is open to any graduate or undergraduate student interested in human rights, politics, conflict resolution and legal issues.
Students arrange and pay for their own round-trip transatlantic flight to Strasbourg. Transportation for program-related field trips are arranged by SU Abroad and are included in the program fee.
You will live in a private home with French hosts who provide breakfast and one main meal daily during their stay except on weekends when breakfast only will be provided.
If you choose to arrange and pay for your own housing in Strasbourg, you must notify the SU Abroad office of your decision at the time of application.
Please note that while we encourage students to pursue flight arrangements, we would not encourage you to purchase your airline tickets before confirming that the program and courses you plan to take will be offered in 2010. Please request written notification from us that you can book your flight. You will have to present this notification if we cancel the program at a later date, and you want to be reimbursed for the cost of the ticket.
| Program Begins: | May 22, 2010 |
| Housing Begins: | May 22, 2010 |
| Program Ends: | July 3, 2010 |
| Housing Ends: | July 3, 2010 |
| Deadline: | March 1* |
* Applications received after March 1 will be considered if there is still space in the program.
| UNDERGRADUATE (6 credits) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,592 (estimated) |
| Program Fee | $2,390 (2009 rate) |
| Total | |
| GRADUATE (6 credits) | |
| Tuition | $6,978 (estimated) |
| Program Fee | $2,390 (2009 rate) |
| Total | |
Please note: All costs are estimated and subject to change.
Additional Financial Information: We estimate that students should budget accordingly for the following expenses:
Air travel: $1,200
Books & Supplies: $100
Personal: $500
Lunches and other meals: $700
These figures are for expenses not covered in the tuition and program fee and are paid out-of-pocket by the student.