These are the courses for Spring 2027 that will count towards the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies (HGHRS) major and minor. Additionally, some other electives may qualify, provided that they have a focus on genocide or human rights studies. Please contact Prof. Nancy Harrowitz at nharrow@bu.edu with questions about whether a specific course qualifies.
CAS HI 346: History of International Human Rights
MWF 10:10 am – 11:00 am
Simon Payaslian
Meets with CAS IR 348. History of international human rights since the eighteenth century. Examines political, social, economic rights, the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and related international conventions, enforcement, regionalism, globalization, and NGOs. Analyzes tensions between national sovereignty and human rights.
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CAS HI 543/IR 437: The Prevention of Genocide
M 2:30 pm – 5:15 pm
Simon Payaslian
Undergraduate Prerequisites: one previous course in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, or consent of i nstructor. – (Meets with CAS IR 437.) Examines various approaches to and challenges in prevention of genocide, including ability of existing international institutions to develop early warning systems. Evaluation of effectiveness of unilateral military action and multilateral options at the UN and regional levels to stop genocide.
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CAS IR 352/PO 378: International Human Rights: Applying Human Rights in Africa
MW 10:10 am – 11:25 am
Timothy Longman
Meets with CASPO 378. Studies the growing international influence on politics of human rights principles, documents, and organizations, drawing especially on African cases such as Congo, Zimbabwe, and Sudan. The class explores the relationship between civil and political rights and economic, social, and culture rights. We consider debates over claims of universality vs. cultural relativism, individual vs. group rights, and ways to improve human rights enforcement well respecting local cultures. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Ethical Reasoning, Teamwork/Collaboration.
BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration
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CAS RN 460: Seminar on Holocaust
TR 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Steven Katz
This course will examine historical, ethical and religious issues arising from the Holocaust. We will discuss antisemitism and ideology; what communities were considered “other”; human motivation regarding collaborators, perpetrators and bystanders; the role of individuals, organizations and governments; the treatment of women; the ethics of resistance; the behavior of the Jewish Councils; and attitudes to the existence of God during and after the Holocaust. We will also compare the Holocaust to contemporary crises now occurring around the world. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness.
BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness, Oral and/or Signed Communication