The site provides detailed information on nine different human rights cases from around the world: President Clinton's response to Kosovo, the International Court of Justice's response to genocide, rape and genocide in Rwanda, terrorism and human rights in India, Muslim women's rights, different perspectives on forced labor and the Doe v. Unocal case, and international disputes over the death penalty. Each case is organized according to an easy-to-follow “outline,” which includes a synopsis of the case and other pertinent historical, social, political, and geographical information. Interactive questions are posed in reference to each of the cases, allowing users to engage the material in an interactive way. Additional discussion questions, essay questions, other exercises, and “teaching notes” are also available for each case. An instructor's manual includes discussion notes and quizzes as well as brief tips for using the materials in teaching within each module.
Type of Material:
Case studies
Recommended Uses:
This site could easily be used in the classroom either directly for class discussion or by the instructor who may review the background of the case, present it to the class, and then hand out discussion and quiz materials. Users can engage in individual-based critical thinking exercises, collaborative team-based problem solving assignments, or they can take advantage of the site’s conferencing tools.
Technical Requirements:
Internet access and a web browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Users can learn about specific high-profile human rights cases. Each case includes a synopsis of the case, details specific to the case, and exercises. It allows students to practice their critical thought process with regards to International Human Rights and how they affect our everyday lives and relationships. It provides the development of team building skills to find unique and just solutions to international political dilemmas. It provides cases that can be used to establish personal guidelines for formulation of human rights values
Target Student Population:
Could be used across a variety of target learning populations (upper-level high school students, undergraduate students, law students, or early-level graduate students) and courses (general survey courses on law and society and courses focused on human rights). Particular cases could also be incorporated in topical courses in a specific subject area (e.g., genocide, terrorism, Muslim women’s rights) or geographic location (e.g., Rwanda, Kosovo, India).
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The content is very thorough, and very high quality. The site presents material in a very easy-to-follow format, using accessible language. The study guides and quizzes bring up personal issues regarding student values of equality, justice, and when the decisions have to be made to defend rights of those oppressed.
Concerns:
The cases aren’t particularly current, but the implications of the cases continue to be relevant. For example, one of the cases presents Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao's 1995 dilemma involving terrorism in the Indian states of Punjab and Kashmir. While this case is 20 years old, the issue of human rights and terrorism remains highly relevant today. The cases would before many students could recall or identify with the circumstances.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The wealth of high-quality information on the site makes it a potentially very effective teaching tool. Information is accurate and presented clearly. Equally as important is the site’s interactive assessment opportunities, which include short “quiz” questions, discussion questions, and essay questions. The “teaching notes” available for each case also contribute to the site’s potential effectiveness as a teaching tool. The Educator’s Guide includes information on active learning and assessment strategies, as well as bibliographic information.
Concerns:
The site is designed to be complimentary to a module in a course which involves a basic understanding of sociological group concepts and in particular human rights. The site itself has no specific theoretical framework for which the cases can be applied.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The site is very easy and intuitive to use. The human rights topics and examples are compelling for discussions. The material on the site can be translated into French, Spanish or English, so it can be used in these different language-based learning environments. It offers a printable version of the materials.
Concerns:
Aesthetically and functionally, the website is pretty outdated. The cases are from the 1990s. It consists predominantly of text, but there are a few visuals, such as maps or pictures.
Creative Commons:
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