The Institute of International and Comparative Law is moving into its second phase of offering human rights course work in Asia. It began two years ago with the program in Seoul, Korea. Now, with renewed vigor, it will begin the first study of human rights in Asia taught by Asians.
The site for the international human rights courses is Seoul National University. This school is widely seen as the equivalent of Harvard and Yale together. The guiding force behind this venture will be Kyong-Whan Ahn, the dean of the law school. He received his J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Professor Chongko Choi, who was a Visiting Professor here in Human Rights and International Law, will support him.
Participating in the program from Santa Clara will be Professor Jiri Toman who will initially set up a relationship with the Korean Red Cross. There, the Red Cross has the additional role of dealing with reunification issues.
Professor Jacqueline Hand, who was also a visiting professor here, will act as director of the program. Professor George Alexander, Director of the Institute of International and Comparative Law will visit Seoul as well as the other Asian sites in the Summer Abroad Program.
There will be two tracks for the students to choose from. Students who attend the established High Tech program will earn six units through an internship with a local law firm. They may, optionally, take one unit in the high tech track. Students enrolled in the Human Rights program will have two weeks of classes in economics with the other program. They will then have 15 hours of classes in human rights followed by a two week practicum with a human rights NGO (non-governmental organization.)
Applications will be considered until all openings are filled.
