Brief Overview of the Course Curriculum

Hurt Foundation in association with Government Law College, Mumbai, has launched three months Post Graduate Certificate Course in Human Rights. The course is conducted at Government Law College, Mumbai.

The course syllabus has been divided into 8 modules, to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of Human Rights. The Course is taught on the basis of a series of Weekly two – hour sessions. The course commencing from August 2010 . The course methodology is so structured as to enhance research and writing skills, along with advocacy and practice of Human Rights. The syllabus consists of:

Module 1: Human Rights – Concept, Development, Evolution
- Philosophical, Sociological and Political debates
- Benchmarks of Human Rights Movement.

Module 2: Human Rights and the Indian Constitution
- Constitutional framework
- Fundamental Rights
- Fundamental Duties
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Welfare State – Welfare Schemes

Module 3: Human Rights & State Mechanisms
- Judiciary as protector of Human Rights
- Police & Human Rights
- Prisons & Human Rights
- National and State Human Rights Commissions
- Rights of Victims

Module 4: Citizens’ Role and Civil Society
- Public Interest Litigation
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Social Movements
- Role of the Media
- Right to Information

Module 5: Human Rights of the Marginalized Sections
- Women
- Children
- Unorganized Sector
- Scheduled Castes
- Scheduled Tribes

Module 6: Contemporary issues
- Right to Environment
- The Development Debate: The Right to Development
- Globalization and Human Rights
- Rights of Refugees and internally displaced Persons (IDPs)

Module 7: Human Rights and the international scene
- UN Documents
- International Mechanisms (UN & Regional)
- International Criminal Court

Module 8: Humanity Under Siege and Violation of Principles of Fair Trial
- Crimes against Humanity
- Genocide
- Torture
- Oppressive Laws
- Capital Punishment.

Note: Course Curricula can change to accommodate field realties and feedback from experts.

Who can apply? Admission will be open to candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree from any stream of subject. The course will admit a maximum of thirty students only .

How will this course be different from other courses? Human Rights education cannot be reduced to the simple introduction of human rights content in a classroom. Human rights education implies the learning and practice of human rights. A holistic approach to human rights education means that human rights are taught through both content transmission and experiences. Therefore, we at HURT believe that human right education should not only be theoretical but should also provide skills to people to enable them to practice that skills and to respect human rights of citizens.

The primary goal is to develop participants’ ability to think critically, understand and deliberate on the intricacies of Human rights. The course is adequately interspersed with field visits as we believe this would expose participants to the means available for the protection of human rights. It also exposes participants to the local, state and if possible national mechanisms available for the protection of human rights. Since the participants are from a diverse background the course begins with an introductory module and ends with skills based module. The course has modules which require to make presentations on relevant themes, study reports as well as summarize and analyze debates.

The guest lecturers have been chosen so as to have a panel of distinguished practioners and academicians who would enrich the whole experience with their knowledge as well as field experiences.

What is the cost of the course? The entire course fee is Rs.3500/- per participant (inclusive of course material). The fee deposited will not be refunded. Additional charge of Rs.100/- for the form.

Assessment: Participants will have to work under supervision and Pass the required tests in order to be eligible for the Certificate at the end of the course.

• Foundation Essay (100 Marks): Participants will be required to choose a topic from a list of core issues of Human Rights and write an essay.
• Seminar Paper (150 Marks): Participants will choose a topic from a list of current issues and will prepare a project seminar paper.
• Field Visits (50 Mark): Participants will be required to visit organizations involved in Human Rights issue and present an Assessment Report of the visit.

In order to qualify for the Certificate, a candidate must obtain a minimum 40% of marks in each three components of evaluation as well as have an attendance of 75%.

Student’s submission will be the property of the Hurt Foundation and it shall also have copyright on the same.

About us: Hurt foundation is committed to providing meaningful, relevant and holistic awareness to the society about human rights. Its primary mission is to make people sensitive to human rights issues in their everyday activities. Hurt believes that by sensitizing people to the issue of human rights violation we can proactively use that sensitivity as a tool for social change. It can also be used to encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in a dialogue not only in the social and political spheres but also in their individual mindsets. Hurt is a team of committed individuals from diverse backgrounds and with every passing year, our collective has grown by way of volunteers and students. Hurt believe in promoting the basic principles of respecting others rights which would automatically elicit a similar understanding from the other. Hurt believes change can be brought about if every individual in the society learns and imbibes the basic principles of live and let live.

Course Advisory Committee:

• Justice Hosbet Suresh (Retd.) - Former Judge of Bombay High Court, Mumbai.
• Mr. Kuldip Nayar - Eminent Journalist, Human Rights Activist and Former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).
• Mr. B.J. Misar - Former Director General of Police.
• Mr. Kumar Ketkar - Editor-in-Chief, Lok Satta.
• Dr. Kannamma S. Raman – Faculty, Dept. of Civic and Politics, University of Mumbai.
• Fr. Dr. Frazer Mascarenhas S.J. - Principal, St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai.
• Ruchi Sinha – Faculty, Centre of Criminology and Justice. School of Social Work. T.I.S.S. Mumbai.

Contact us:
HURT FOUNDATION
11- A, 3rd Floor, 11/13 Botawala Building,
Horniman Circle, Fort, Mumbai – 400 023.
Tel.:(022) – 2261 0202 / 2261 7601
E-mail: ,
Web: www.hurtfoundation.com
Time: Monday to Friday from 11:00a.m to 6:00p.m.
Saturday: 11:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.