DATE: March 1, 2010
PRESS RELEASE
ZORYAN INSTITUTE OF CANADA, INC.
Suite 310
Toronto, ON, Canada M3B 3H9
CONTACT: Patil Halajian
Tel: 416-250-9807
Fax: 416-512-1736
E-mail: [email protected]
Announcing Accredited Genocide & Human Rights University Program
Toronto, Canada – The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights
Studies is pleased to announce the 9th year of the Genocide and Human Rights
University Program (‘GHRUP’). The Program is offered in collaboration with
the University of Toronto, which allows registered students to earn
graduate-level credits.
The GHRUP is not only rewarding for the expert instructors, but the program
is often described by students as a life-changing experience. One graduate
described it perhaps best, `The GHRUP offers a brilliant opportunity for
everyone who is interested in deepening their understanding of the
phenomenon of genocide and ways we can work for its prevention. It’s high
academic standard, friendly and encouraging atmosphere provide a great
setting to tackle and process one of the most destructive sides of human
existence.’
Incorporating genocide theory, history, sociology, political science and
international law, and through a comparative analysis of several case
studies (such as the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda,
Darfur) and a number of special themes, the GHRUP explores such issues as:
– The Foundations of Human Rights
– International Politics and Genocide
– International Law and Genocide
– The Preconditions of Genocide
– Patterns of Genocide
– Conflict Resolution & Reconciliation
– Genocide Denial
– Genocide Prevention
Major Brent Beardsley, an officer with the UN Peace Keeping forces and an
eye-witness to the Rwandan Genocide, also an instructor at the GHRUP,
expressed the course’s ability to `look at the bigger crime of genocide but
always focus on, at the very heart of it, the horrendous human tragedy, and
the responsibility we have to maintain their memory and to pass that memory
on to others.’
Prof. Herbert Hirsch of Virginia Commonwealth University, one of the editors
of Genocide Studies & Prevention: An International Journal, and a teacher of
prevention at the GHRUP commented, `The Genocide and Human Rights University
Program is … one of the only programs that I have in fact ever heard of
where students are in attendance for two very intense weeks, eight hours a
day, where they are exposed to some of the leading scholars in their field
to teach their specialties….Here they are exposed to … eight different
professors, all of who are doing what they know best. Students get to
interact with them, they get to interact with each other, they learn from
the professors, they learn from each other, and the professors learn from
the students. This is, in fact, a unique educational experience for everyone
who participates.’
CREDITS
Students currently registered at the University of Toronto and graduate
students from any university in Ontario may receive credit with no
additional cost in tuition. Undergraduate students registered at other
institutions across the province may make special arrangements for the same
privilege. Students in other jurisdictions who wish to take the course for
credit must make special arrangements with their local institution.
Applicants must be current or recent university students with a minimum of
three years of undergraduate experience. Details and registration
information are available on the program’s website,
or by emailing [email protected]. The GHRUP will be held in Toronto,
August 2nd to 13th, 2010. We urge international students to send in their
applications as soon as possible to avoid complications pertaining to visas.
The International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (A
Division of the Zoryan Institute) is dedicated to scholarly research and
dissemination of knowledge regarding the phenomenon of genocide in all of
its aspects, to create an awareness of it as an ongoing scourge, and promote
the necessity of preventing it.