Social Work and International Affairs: Human Rights

The borders of the Czech Republic opened after the fall of Communism in 1989. This resulted in the rise of Prague as a culture center within the heart of Europe. Currently, Prague has provided an interesting focal point for the study of social justice and contemporary human rights issues alongside the culturally vibrant concentrations of Baroque, Renaissance, and Medieval influences. This is a fascinating region to study Communism and Fascism and its effects on the local community. This program features excursions that combine cultural and academic experiences to illustrate the triumphs and continued challenges in the field of human rights.

Program participants enrolled in courses on political science and foreign affairs will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from international organizations dealing with regional and global issues with the environment, human security, and the EU. There will also be excursions to historical sites that involve Communism and World War II atrocities.

Program participants enrolled in courses on social work will have the opportunity to go to prisons, courts, human rights organizations, HIV/AIDS care and prevention sites, domestic violence centers, and drug treatment clinics.

Courses taken during this program can be used to fulfil requirements for Social Work and International Affairs degree programs, the Global Pathways Certificate, Interdisciplinary Program in Russian and Eastern European Studies, and the Honors Certificate in Human Rights Leadership.

This program may include the following cultural events and excursions:

• Dinners for welcome and farewell
• Prague Tours: the Museum of Communism, Jewish Town, and Prague Castle
• Potential Day Trips: Czech Republic, Lidice & Terezin (Theresienstadt concentration camp), and Nurnberg, Germany
• Excursion to Cesky Krumlov, the medieval Czech village
• Krakow, Poland – Auschwitz potential excursion

* New opportunities or unexpected events may change plans

English