Using the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a pedagogical vehicle, this course is designed to provide the student with an introductory exposure to the concepts underpinning human rights education around the world. Human rights issues facing contemporary societies will be examined, with a focus on Italy as a case study and the EU as backdrop, and comparisons drawn to the American context. Human rights concerns related to immigrants, human trafficking, women and child rights, GLBT rights and the rights of the disabled will be explored. Societal issues confronting contemporary Italy such as racism against the Roma, Sinti, and African refugees/asylum-seekers, as well as purported discrimination against Muslims, will be discussed. How the educational system is addressing these matters will be examined through both classroom learning and experiential learning conducted in regional settings and offices of human rights related NGOs such as Amnesty International-Italy and the UNHCR Branch Liaison Office in Italy. Italian school system visitation will be included.

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