MEVIT4620 – Scholars at Risk (SAR) Student Advocacy Seminar
Course description
Course content
Empowering students to understand and advocate for academic freedom and human rights, the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Student Advocacy Seminars offer a unique opportunity for all students at UiO to engage directly in campaigns on behalf of threatened members of the global higher education community. In collaboration with the Scholars in Prison Project in New York, this course is a platform for students to develop essential skills while making a tangible impact.
Students can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the value of the academic freedom they enjoy and the risks scholars and students around the world face in the pursuit of knowledge. Students taking the course will also be able to partner with students across Europe and USA, and to put their advocacy skills into practice at SAR’s European Student Advocacy Days.
The Scholars at Risk (SAR) Student Advocacy Seminars provide university students with the opportunity to develop skills in campaigning for human rights and academic freedom through direct engagement on behalf of threatened members of the global higher education community. This course is provided in cooperation with the?International SAR’s Academic Freedom Monitoring Project?and?Scholars in Prison Project?in New York.
Each semester, under the supervision of local faculty and in partnership with SAR, we undertake the case of one or more scholars currently imprisoned due to their academic work and political engagement.
Working collaboratively, students craft and launch targeted advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and garner support for these individuals throughout the semester. Through this hands-on experience, students not only deepen their comprehension of academic freedom but also cultivate a variety of skills crucial for effective advocacy, including:
- Human rights research and standards
- Understanding of modern media systems and advocacy
- Organizing and persuasive writing
- Leadership and teamwork
- Practical organisational skills
This experiential program is tailored to the specific group of students who sign up.
Learning outcome
Obvious examples how and why certain human rights issues and campaigns are prioritized over others, by whom, and to what end and what effect such campaigns have. Better critical multi-disciplinary experience and assessment of human rights campaigns can enhance awareness of these challenges.
Against this background this course will help students develop a practical understanding of advocacy and strategic communication work, particularly within the field of academic freedom. Student led advocacy intervention during teaching time seek to enhance the link between practical work, theory and critical reflection. In doing so they will gain