Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Human Rights Pathway Guide


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Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.

Preparation for Transfer as a Human Rights Major


The following sequences are suggested courses to take in your semesters prior to transferring to SMU as a human rights major. For students attending a Texas public community college or university, Texas Common Course Numbers (TCCNS) are listed. If you are transferring from a college or university outside of Texas, click on the SMU course for a course description which may be used to select/compare courses at your current institution.

CC listings refer to SMU’s Common Curriculum, which all undergraduates are required to complete. Refer to the Common Curriculum Transfer Guide   for a list of courses satisfying CC components. Interactive equivalency guides organized by transfer institution are available on the Transfer and Transition Services’ website.

Save all of your course syllabi! 

B.A. in Human Rights - Gender and Human Rights Track


SCHs = Semester Credit Hours

First Year

Fall TCCN SCHs
WRTR 10XX - First Year Writing I  ENGL 1301 3
SOCI 1300 - Introduction to Sociology   SOCI 1301 3
CC Math Course Choose One: MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1325, MATH 1425, MATH 2413, MATH 2320, MATH 1342, BUSN 2305 3
CC Breadth Course - Creativity and Aesthetics Choose One: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1316, ARTS 2316 , ARTS 2326, ARTS 2333, ARTS 2346, ARTS 2356, DRAM 1351, HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306 3
World Language Course* 4
  SCHs 16
Spring TCCN SCHs
WRTR 10YY - First Year Writing II ENGL 1302 3
SPCH 10XX SPCH 1315 3
CC Breadth Course - Historical Contexts Choose One: ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322 3
Human Rights Elective - course in contemporary issues in sociology OR an advanced humanities course OR a course covering religious philosophy OR a course examining social psychology 3
World Language Course* 4
  SCHs 16

Second Year

Fall TCCN SCHs
ECO 1311 - Principles of Microeconomics: Consumers, Firms, and Markets   ECON 2302 3
CC Breadth Course - Literary Analysis and Interpretation Choose One: ENGL 2321, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2331, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333 3
CC Breadth Course - Exploring Science Choose One: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 1408, BIOL 1411, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, ENVR 1401, ENVR 1402, GEOL 1401, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1405, GEOL 1445, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1403, PHYS 1405, PHYS 1404, PHYS 1407, PHYS 1415, PHYS 1417, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426 4
Human Rights Elective - course in contemporary issues in sociology OR an advanced humanities course OR a course covering religious philosophy OR a course examining social psychology 3
Second major, minor or elective courses 3
  SCHs 16
Spring TCCN SCHs
CC Breadth Course - Social and Behavioral Sciences Choose One: ANTH 2351, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2371, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319, SOCI 1301 3
CC Breadth Course - Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry Choose One: PHIL 1301, PHIL 1304, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306 3
CC Breadth Course - Technological Advances and Society Choose One: COSC 1301/1401, BCIS 1305, COSC 1309 3
Human Rights Elective - course in contemporary issues in sociology OR an advanced humanities course OR a course covering religious philosophy OR a course examining social psychology 3
Second major, minor or elective courses 3
  SCHs 15

B.A. in Human Rights - Public Policy and Human Rights Track


SCHs = Semester Credit Hours

First Year

Fall TCCN SCHs
WRTR 10XX - First Year Writing I  ENGL 1301 3
PHIL 1316 - Introduction to Ethics   PHIL 2306 3
CC Math Course Choose One: MATH 1324, MATH 1332, MATH 1325, MATH 1425, MATH 2413, MATH 2320, MATH 1342, BUSN 2305 3
CC Breadth Course - Creativity and Aesthetics Choose One: ARTS 1301, ARTS 1316, ARTS 2316 , ARTS 2326, ARTS 2333, ARTS 2346, ARTS 2356, DRAM 1351, HUMA 1315, MUSI 1306 3
World Language Course* 4
  SCHs 16
Spring TCCN SCHs
WRTR 10YY - First Year Writing II ENGL 1302 3
SPCH 10XX SPCH 1315 3
CC Breadth Course - Historical Contexts Choose One: ARTS 1303, ARTS 1304, HIST 1301, HIST 1302, HIST 2321, HIST 2322 3
Human Rights Elective - course in contemporary issues in sociology OR an advanced humanities course OR a course covering religious philosophy OR a course examining social psychology 3
World Language Course* 4
  SCHs 16

Second Year

Fall TCCN SCHs
ECO 1311 - Principles of Microeconomics: Consumers, Firms, and Markets   ECON 2302 3
CC Breadth Course - Literary Analysis and Interpretation Choose One: ENGL 2321, ENGL 2322, ENGL 2323, ENGL 2326, ENGL 2327, ENGL 2328, ENGL 2331, ENGL 2332, ENGL 2333 3
CC Breadth Course - Exploring Science Choose One: BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407, BIOL 1408, BIOL 1411, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, CHEM 1405, CHEM 1411, CHEM 1412, ENVR 1401, ENVR 1402, GEOL 1401, GEOL 1403, GEOL 1405, GEOL 1445, PHYS 1401, PHYS 1402, PHYS 1403, PHYS 1405, PHYS 1404, PHYS 1407, PHYS 1415, PHYS 1417, PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426 4
Human Rights Elective - course in contemporary issues in sociology OR an advanced humanities course OR a course covering religious philosophy OR a course examining social psychology 3
Second major, minor or elective courses 3
  SCHs 16
Spring TCCN SCHs
CC Breadth Course - Social and Behavioral Sciences Choose One: ANTH 2351, GOVT 2305, GOVT 2371, PSYC 2301, PSYC 2314, PSYC 2319, SOCI 1301 3
CC Breadth Course - Philosophical, Religious and Ethical Inquiry Choose One: PHIL 1301, PHIL 1304, PHIL 2303, PHIL 2306 3
CC Breadth Course - Technological Advances and Society Choose One: COSC 1301/1401, BCIS 1305, COSC 1309 3
Human Rights Elective - course in contemporary issues in sociology OR an advanced humanities course OR a course covering religious philosophy OR a course examining social psychology 3
Second major, minor or elective courses 3
  SCHs 15

Note


*The second language requirement may be satisfied by 1) transferring two terms of college courses in the same world language, 2) placing out of four terms of a world language by taking an SMU placement test or through AP or IB credit, or 3) being literate in a native language other than English.

The Embrey Human Rights Program


SMU is the first university in the South and the fifth in the nation to offer an undergraduate degree in human rights. Students study the topics of social justice and human rights and are offered opportunities for engaged learning abroad and at home, community service, and art interactivity. Students explore local and world problems related to militarism, political violence and repression; social, gender and racial equality; human rights violations and conflict resolution; and environmental destruction, poverty and hunger.

The Embrey Human Rights Program educates and trains human rights advocates and responsible citizens. Providing an interdisciplinary curriculum for students, the program supports human rights research and travel by offering human rights-related internships, seminars and conferences.

Research and Travel Opportunities


Research and travel opportunities are available to students through a variety of travel programs offered over winter and spring breaks as well as during the summer.  These trips provide stark reminders of the importance of human rights and include a two-week Holocaust trip to Poland (an annual trip by SMU groups since 1983), a spring civil rights pilgrimage across the deep south, and other experiential trips to destinations such as Rwanda, China, Latvia, Germany, Nigeria, Israel, Belarus, and more.

Students who participate in these travel programs complete research papers on relevant topics studied while abroad.

Student Leadership Initiative


The Embrey Human Rights Program’s Student Leadership Initiative (SLI) gives exceptionally-motivated students the opportunity to address human rights abuses through long-term service learning projects that combine academic study and activism.

SLI is a student-led initiative focused on providing interesting and engaging opportunities to the SMU student body while perpetuating universal human rights and enriching the educational quality of SMU. Through participation in SLI, future leaders are equipped with the skills to understand global and local human rights violations as well as empower, inspire and affect sustainable global change through human rights service.

Human Rights Graduates


Recent graduates from the human rights department have entered the Peace Corps, broadcast journalism, public sector/non-profit work, medical school, and careers in the U.S. military.  Graduates also enter law school; some have become practicing human rights attorneys in the areas of women’s rights, children’s rights, and asylum rights.

Majoring in Human Rights


The Human Rights Department offers two degree tracks from which to choose:

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the study of human rights, students are required to complete a second major or minor in a related field.  Common second majors or minors include history, international business, journalism, psychology, public policy, women and gender studies, and world languages.

Minoring in Human Rights


A Human Rights Minor  is available and consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours.

Human Rights Courses for a Major or Minor


Transfer courses may be used to satisfy core requirements for the two tracks of the human rights major.  Look for courses in the following areas:

Gender and Human Rights Track

  • Sociology - course on race, ethnicity and community

Public Policy and Human Rights Track (choose one)

  • Anthropology - course exploring global cultures        
  • Philosophy - ethics course

Elective courses for either track (choose one)

  • Sociology - course on contemporary issues
  • Philosophy - course covering religious philosophy
  • Humanities - advanced-level coursePsychology - course examining social psychology

Preparing for a Smooth Transition


A seamless transfer to SMU and the Human Rights program requires planning. Transfer students who take time to prepare for their move to SMU are some of our most successful students. The following are a few important points to remember:

  • To enter SMU as a declared human rights major, transfer students must have 24 or more hours of transfer credit and complete English Composition I and II, either through coursework or AP, IB or other test credit.
  • SMU accepts AP scores of 4 or 5.
  • Work on the Common Curriculum  prior to transfer is highly encouraged.
  • The human rights major requires at least 11 hours in any one World Language . Students may also demonstrate proficiency in a world language through testing or other approved means.
  • Compare Course Descriptions   found in SMU’s University Catalog to course descriptions at your current institution to maximize your awarded transfer credits. 
  • For additional information on the Human Rights major, visit our department hompage or call 214-768-3284.
  • For more information about transferring to SMU, click here or call 214-768-3417.

SMU Degree


A degree from SMU is typically comprised of a minimum of 122 hours, 60 of which must be completed through SMU, 42 of which must be in courses at the 3000 and higher levels. Components of the degree include:

  • Courses in your major
  • Courses required for the Common Curriculum (CC)  
  • Elective courses.  These electives may also be used to add a second major or minor. 

The Common Curriculum (CC)


The Common Curriculum is required of all undergraduate students and consists of three main components: 

  1. Foundations - 6 hours of Writing courses, 3 hours of Quantitative Reasoning courses, proficiency in a second language. 
  2. Breadth - 7 Breadth courses which may double count with majors and minors.
  3. Proficiencies and Experiences - 8 Proficiencies and Experiences requirements, met through coursework or approved, noncredit activities.                                                                                                                           

NOTE: If you transfer with 23 or fewer credit hours and/or transfer in your first year out of high school, transfer work earned prior to high school graduation (dual/concurrent credit) will not satisfy CC requirements.

 

Apply Now!


Click here for more information about transferring to SMU.

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