We are pleased to provide an update from the Carleton students of LAWS 4903, Academia and Activism: Seminar in Advanced Human Rights Advocacy. The petition started by the undergraduate students registered this class has been tabled in the House of Commons. Supported by MP Gary Anandasangaree, the petition advocates for the acquittal of Prof. Hatoon al-Fassi in Saudi Arabia. We are now awaiting the government response.
More about LAWS 4903
Academia and Activism: Seminar in Advanced Human Rights Advocacy asks how can one be, if at all, an academic and activist? Are these two endeavors contradictory? Are there tensions inherent in pursuing both? In order to examine these questions, this course considers the idea of fact through pertinent theory and relevant case studies while engaging in a semester-long advocacy project. The class takes on the case of three scholars currently facing persecution, discrimination and/or harassment. Students work directly on research in relation to this scholar’s case.
This seminar works closely with Scholars at Risk, an organization which protects and advocates for academics who have been threatened, fired, arrested, imprisoned or tortured based on their research and activism. Students will work in groups to generate reports on the history and status of at-risk individuals and contribute to advocacy on their behalf.