CHRSD-Mahidol University

Background

The Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific Regional Program) or the MHRD, is the region's premier degree in human rights and democratisation. Mahidol University introduced this new program in 2010. The degree offers students the opportunity to study both at the University of Sydney and one of four selected universities in the Asia Pacific, each with a particular expertise in human rights and democratisation. The four universities are:

Mahidol University (Thailand)
Gadjah Mada University (Indonesia),
Kathmandu School of Law (Nepal),
University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Designed for mid-career professionals and highly motivated undergraduates, the degree offers students a unique opportunity to engage first-hand with regional and international human rights issues, and to interact with internationally renowned human rights academics, practitioners and experts. Complemented by funding from the European Commission, this degree provides students with exposure to leading international human rights academics and practitioners.

Objectives

The Asia Pacific is the largest and most diverse region in the world. Stretching from the Pacific to the Middle East, and including three of the world's most populous countries, the region is home to more than half the world's population and offers unparalleled cultural richness. However, the region faces a number of severe human rights challenges, including discrimination against vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, armed conflict and violence, internal displacement of people, exploitation of children, people-trafficking and corruption. There is a pressing demand to build knowledge and expertise to increase awareness of and respect for human rights and democratic principles, both across the region, and within local and national communities.

The programme is committed to producing graduates who:

* Have the ability to undertake independent scholarly research on current issues pertaining to human rights and democratisation in the Asia Pacific
*  Have the capacity to put their academic understanding and practical experience to use   in real situations.
* Have awareness of and encourage respect for human rights and democratic principles, both across the region and within their local and national communities

Programme Structure

The MHRD is an interdisciplinary, three semester (or approximately one year and six months) intensive postgraduate degree that reflects the inseparable links between human rights, democracy, peace and development in the region. The degree consists of one foundational semester and one week inter-sessional intensive (from July to November) at the University of Sydney and a second semester (December to May) at one of four regional partner institutions:

* Mahidol University, Thailand
* Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia
* Kathmandu School of Law, Nepal
* University of Columbo, Sri Lanka

During the second semester students follow core units complemented by supervised research or an internship at an in-country organization specializing in human rights or democratisation. Students may conduct valuable primary field research or intern at organizations where they will gain valuable skills and build strong professional networks.

Curriculum

All students in the degree will complete their first semester, comprising foundational course work, at the University of Sydney. During this semester, they will complete four semester-long courses, to be followed at the end of the semester by a one-week thematic intensive. The thematic intensive will be on issues of women and children.

First Semester – The University of Sydney

These units are compulsory for all students and include the following:
- HRTD6901 - Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms I
- HRTD6902 - Human Rights and Democratisation Research
- HRTD6903 - Dynamics of Human Rights Violations
- HRTD6904 - Democratisation: Theory and Practice

Second Semester – Regional Partner University

Core compulsory units:

- HRTD6906 - Human Rights Norms and Mechanisms II
- HRTD6907 - Critical and Emerging Regional Issues

Students will choose one of the two following options:

(1) HRTD6908 – Dissertation (of about 15,000-18,000 words)
(2) HRTD6909 - Internship (at least 8 weeks full time equivalent, with associated written submissions),

For further details on the program please visit: http://sydney.edu.au/arts/human_rights_democratisation