Applied experience in community organizations is a core course requirement (4 credits) for students entering the program. The aim is to allow students to develop professional skills and translate theory into action. Recent academic literature in the field of human rights has drawn the spotlight on the power dynamics of international organizations. Applied experience will allow students to critically appraise the organizational practice of human-rights work to identify strengths and weaknesses of contemporary advocacy models. With the assistance of faculty, students will identify and select a human rights-oriented organization working on local, national or international issues for a summer internship. MS in Human Rights faculty have developed deep ties with community organizations in the Southern Tier region and beyond. Faculty will work closely with students to enable them to identify an organization that matches their interests.
Binghamton University is working to establish itself as a major center for human rights pedagogy and research. A number of programs have been initiated in support of this goal, including the Human Rights Institute (HRI) and the Freshman Research Immersion in Human Rights. Students will find research opportunities among faculty with a range of expertise and interests, from political science, literature, race, gender and sexuality studies, to international relations, anthropology, history, sociology and philosophy.
