INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS SEMINAR (2) (ILS800) AND WORKSHOP (2) (ILS801)

Professors Ruti Teitel, Jayni Edelstein

Explores various uses of the law and conceptions of justice in the area of international human rights, by combining a seminar with a supervised placement. The seminar considers various responses of the law, including international human rights law, to historical and contemporary human rights violations. It also encompasses a comparative study of enforcement under various domestic legal systems, ranging from the role of investigation and fact-finding to individual criminal sanctions, and individual and collective civil sanctions and remedies. Through the placements, presentations, and papers, students gain an opportunity to bring theoretical materials about the law's role together with prevailing practices. Placements include international human rights organizations, public interest organizations, firms, and foundations working in the area of international human rights. Workshop participants should expect to devote at least seven hours per week to their placements, meet with supervising faculty and placement mentor, attend and participate in the seminar, and produce a paper or other substantial written project. 2 seminar credits are graded and 2 placement credits are pass/fail. No more than 14 placement credits may count toward the J.D. Enrollment limited. Selection will follow individual interviews with applicants. A student may be admitted to the two-hour seminar without undertaking the placement only with the permission of the instructor. Placement credits do not involve scheduled classes.