Pre-College Instructor, Human Rights in the 21st Century: Challenges in International Law and Advocacy (On-Campus), Summer 2025

Columbia University’s Pre-College Programs for High School Students is seeking qualified candidates to develop and teach on-campus courses during Summer ’25. Reporting to the Senior Director of Instruction and Curriculum for Pre-College Programs, Pre-College Instructors develop and deliver immersive non-credit courses for high-achieving high school students. They guide and supervise students when classes are in session, and write a holistic evaluation of each course participant after classes conclude. For more information on the program–including course sessions and times–please see here.Course Description

Are human rights still relevant in promoting social justice and freedom in the 21st Century? Human rights law and advocacy have been central to international politics since the end of World War II. However, recent rises in authoritarianism and anti-liberal regimes have raised new questions on whether the human rights framework is still capable of addressing injustices in the modern world. This course introduces students to the law and practice of human rights as well as the challenges of enforcing rights in an international environment that has grown increasingly hostile to principles of human dignity and personal freedom.Students review the philosophical foundations of human rights and then examine human rights from two perspectives. First, the legal perspective introduces them to basic principles and rules of international law and the main international organizations and mechanisms designed for promoting and enforcing human rights. Second, they adopt the role of social scientist. We debate evidence on the effectiveness of human rights law and discuss challenges of enforcing rights in an international system in which states are not accountable to a higher authority.Students apply their new knowledge to the problems facing human rights today. Topics may include cultural relativist critiques of human rights as a Western, neo-colonialist institution, challenges from new technologies in state surveillance and autonomous weapons, and existential threats to human populations through climate change and environmental damage. The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions.Due to the sensitive nature of possible content and material covered in this course, it is recommended that students should only register if they have the maturity, and willingness to engage thoughtfully with challenging topics.Course Schedules                 

Summer B: July 22nd - August 8th - 9:10am-11:00am & 1:10pm-3:00pm EST (four hours per day)

Please Note: Course(s) and course availability is subject to change. Dates and class times are tentative and subject to change.ResponsibilitiesDevelop course content, syllabus, lesson plans, and assigned work, in accordance with Pre-College templates and regulationsLead and attend all class sessions, including escorting students to and from campus for field trips Establish and maintain a dynamic in-class environment tailored for our high school populationEvaluate student work and write a holistic evaluation of each participant after the course endsMonitor and address student concerns and inquiries (you will have around 20-24 students)Attend and complete all required online trainings