COURSE CURRICULUM

The Human Rights and Diplomacy program offers a structured and comprehensive approach to understanding and applying human rights in global contexts. In the spring semester, students engage with core modules such as Human Rights in Practice and Approaches to Human Rights, which continue into the summer, providing a strong foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of human rights. They also study Human Rights Theory and have the flexibility to choose from optional modules that address critical contemporary issues, including transitional justice, climate justice, criminalisation, social control, cultural politics of decolonisation, and the intersections of climate change with human security and resource conflicts. These options allow students to tailor their learning to specific areas of interest and professional goals. During the summer semester, students develop practical skills through modules on Diplomacy Skills for International Human Rights Institutions and Preparation for Independent Working, equipping them to operate effectively in professional environments. The program culminates in the autumn semester with a choice of a dissertation, professional project, or an on-the-job training placement at a UN or UN-affiliated institution. This combination of rigorous academic study and experiential learning prepares graduates for careers in human rights advocacy, international diplomacy, policy development, and positions within global organisations, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the advancement and protection of human rights worldwide.