Program Structure

Please follow the program structure outlined in the Academic Calendar from your FIRST academic year as a student at St. Thomas University. Find the Academic Calendars HERE. If you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor. 

Major

To complete a Major in Human Rights, students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of human rights courses. The requirements for the Major include the following 9 credit hours:

 

HMRT-1003. Introduction to Human Rights
HMRT-2013 Research Methods
HMRT-4013. Capstone Seminar

 

In addition, students must complete at least 6 credit hours in each of the four subfields – Foundations, Law, Social Issues, and Practice.

 

a) Foundations

HMRT 2033. Human Rights in Theory and Practice
HMRT 2043. Non-Western Perspectives on Human Rights
HMRT 3033. Philosophy of Human Rights

 

b) Law HMRT-3013. Discrimination and the Law in Canada

HMRT-3063. Genocide, War Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity
HMRT 3113. The Rights Revolution in Canada
HMRT 3123. International Human Rights
HMRT 3543. Human Rights and Foreign Policy

 

c) Societal Issues

HMRT-2023. Human Rights and Literature
HMRT 3153. Popular Culture and Human Rights
HMRT 3233. Environment and Human Rights
HMRT 3633. 2SLGBTQIA and Human Rights
HMRT 3803. Human Rights of the Child and Seniors
HMRT 3903. Business and Human Rights

 

d) Practice

HMRT 3073. Human Rights Internship
HMRT 3133. Human Rights Advocacy, Activism, and Social Justice
HMRT 3203. Human Rights Advocacy Through Social Media
HMRT 3503. Moot Court

 

Students should consult with the Chair of the Human Rights Department to ensure that their program meets all requirements.

 

Minor

The Minor in Human Rights requires the 3 credit hour introductory course and 15 additional credit hours in Human Rights.

Honours in Human Rights

i. Honour’s students must maintain a GPA of 3.7 in human rights courses.


ii. Students must complete the Thesis Proposal Course a minimum of one year before graduation. Upon completion, approval is required from the Chair of the Program, as well as the proposed thesis supervisor.


Completion Requirements

Students completing an Honours in Human Rights require a total of 54 credit hours in human rights, including the following required 36 credit hours of courses:

  • HMRT 1003 Introduction to Human Rights 
  • HMRT 2013 Research Methods
  • HMRT 2033 Human Rights in Theory and Practice
  • HMRT 3033 Philosophy of Human Rights
  • HMRT 3113 The Rights Revolution in Canada
  • HMRT 3013 Discrimination and the Law in Canada
  • HMRT 3123 International Human Rights
  • HMRT 3063 Genocide, War Crimes, and Crimes Against Humanity
  • HMRT 3133 Human Rights Advocacy, Activism and Social Justice
  • HMRT 3603 Thesis Proposal
  • HMRT 4013 Capstone Seminar
  • HMRT 4063 Honours Thesis            

Students must also complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in elective courses from the following human rights courses. Students should consult the program director if substitution of cross-listed courses is requested.

  • HMRT 2023 Human Rights and Literature
  • HMRT 2043 Non-Western Perspectives on Human Rights
  • HMRT 3073 Human Rights Internship
  • HMRT 3133 Activism and Social Justice
  • HMRT 3153 Popular Culture and Human Rights
  • HMRT 3203 Human Rights Advocacy through Social Media
  • HMRT 3233 Environment and Human Rights

  • HMRT 3503 Moot Court
  • HMRT 3543 Human Rights and Foreign Policy
  • HMRT 3633 2SLGBTQIA and Human Rights
  • HMRT 3803 Human Rights of the Child and Seniors
  • HMRT 3903 Business and Human Rights
  • HMRT 4023 Independent Study
  • HMRT 4043 Special Topics in Human Rights
  • HMRT 4053 Human Rights Leadership