IHRE Curriculum

IHRE is a rigorous multidisciplinary program that emphasizes intellectual openness.  In keeping with liberal arts pedagogical principles, classes are small (average size 20).  Students are encouraged to think critically, question received ideas, and subject theory to the test of experience.  Courses are taught by professors from Wits and North American institutions.

Structurally, IHRE is a hybrid of the British lecture and marking system used at Wits and the American seminar and grading system.

Students from North American institutions are full-time and earn 16 credits.  Transcripts for students from North American institutions are issued by Bard College.

All IHRE students are required to take the semester-long core course Human Rights: Perspectives from the Disciplines.  The core course is complemented by a guest lecture series. 

Most students also choose to enroll in the core seminar Engagement in Human Rights which is paired with a highly substantive, mentored internship at a local NGO in Johannesburg. 

Students then choose from a wide range of electives, including:

• Development, Welfare Economics and Human Rights

• Gender and Human Rights

• Human Rights and African Literature

• Human Rights and Culture

• Human Rights and the Media

• Islam and Human Rights

• Migration and Human Rights

• Philosophy of Human Rights

• Politics and Human Rights

• Psychosocial Perspectives on Human Rights and Social Justice

• State Sovereignty and Human Rights

• Theatre and Human Rights

Click here for course descriptions and sample syllabi.