Events will kick off human rights minor

The Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies will introduce its new minor in human rights by hosting two guest speakers who will touch on human rights theory and careers in the field.

UPDATE: The February 25 event is canceled due to weather conditions.

Michael Goodhart, associate professor of political science at the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss "Human Rights as Political Tools" on Thursday, February 25, at 4 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center, room 2263. The event is free and open to the public; it is sponsored by Brooks College, Political Science and Student Senate.

Goodhart is the author of "Democracy as Human Rights: Freedom and Equality in the Age of Globalization" and contributing editor of "Human Rights: Politics and Practice" and "Human Rights in the 21st Century: Continuity and Change since 9/11."

Anne Hiskes, dean of Brooks College, said the human rights minor will be available to students in the fall semester. Courses will cover human rights theory, history, law and politics, and include issues like trafficking, children's rights, genocide and environmental rights. Students who choose to minor in human rights would be encouraged to intern with local and global nonprofit organizations.

A second kickoff event is planned for March 24 when Jeff Smith from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice will present "Doing Well by Doing Good; A Career in Human Rights." Smith's presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in Niemeyer Honors Hall, multipurpose room.

More information about the human rights minor is online at www.gvsu.edu/humanrights.