Human Rights Studies

Housed in the Department of Political Science, the Bachelor of Arts in Human Rights Studies (HRS) at the University of Dayton is an integrated pre-professional degree firmly grounded in the traditional liberal arts. Students, faculty, and staff participating in the program are guided by their fundamental commitment to respect and promote the dignity of each human person. The degree is intended to produce intellectually adept students who are capable of performing rigorous research and conducting high quality analysis of critical questions in the area of human rights studies. It is equally intended to produce thoughtful and transformational servant-leaders who will apply the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to contemporary human rights issues and situations both domestically and internationally. Through the integration of liberal and pre-professional education, the interdisciplinary program prepares distinctive graduates who intend to pursue advanced study and training in the field of human rights, or careers in human rights advocacy and humanitarian assistance. Graduates possess the values, knowledge and skills necessary for effective public service in government, non-governmental organizations, international aid agencies, and non-profit groups in human rights or humanitarian assistance.

This interdisciplinary program affords countless opportunities for students to become involved in human rights issues. Each year students organize Human Rights Week, a week-long program with nationally known scholars and speakers, issue forums, artistic presentations and other activities. Students also have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships with government agencies, Congress, nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations, human rights groups and multinational corporations interested in safeguarding human rights in the workplace.

Students take courses and conduct research in locations around the world through our education abroad programs. Students have traveled recently to Burundi, Chile, El Salvador, Geneva, Haiti, Ireland, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland and Uganda.

To ensure HRS students are prepared for work anywhere in the world, they must show proficiency in a foreign language by passing the University examination or completing a language course in Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Italian, Russian or Spanish at the 141-level or higher with a minimum grade of C.

The Faculty: Only core faculty are listed. As this is an interdisciplinary major, numerous faculty from several departments also teach in the program.

Mark Ensalaco, Director, Human Rights Studies
Marybeth Carlson, History
Marilyn Fischer, Philosophy
Richard Ghere, Political Science
Natalie Florea Hudson, Political Science
Kelly Johnson, Religious Studies
Patricia Johnson, Philosophy
Linda Majka, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Theo Majka, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work
Kathleen Watters, Communication

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