EDUCATION FOR THE NEW AGE: TRADITION, REFORM, INNOVATION

1. Defining Human Rights: Legal, Social, and Political Perspectives (Teaching the Field in the Framework of an Erasmus Intensive Course LLP project) EDUCATION FOR THE NEW AGE: TRADITION, REFORM, INNOVATION 9th Fulbright International Conference Bansko, Bulgaria, 7-8 August, 2010 Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

2. Content • Purpose (goals, specific focus on the needs in EU countries, especially Bulgaria) • Motivations, Objectives, Target Groups • Teaching Content and Methodology • Expected Results and Outcomes • Brief Description of Activities Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

3. Purpose • Basic aim is to prepare a course in human rights that is both innovative and suitable for universities in Bulgaria. • The course will introduce students to basic arguments in the ongoing theoretical debate about the concept of human rights protection, including legal, political, and social aspects. • Human Rights Protection is a topic in the subfield of International Law within the broader fields of International Relations and Politics. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

4. Rationale for Focusing on Southeastern Europe and Bulgaria • Ongoing transition to pluralist democracy and social justice systems in SEE • Enlargement of EU and the new role of NATO present new challenges for human rights protection • Adequate responses required from practitioners and legal experts in the fields of public policy, national human rights institutions, and education, as well as NGOs and interested students. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

5. Scope • Knowledge of specific legal mechanisms and domestic and international institutions • Topics concerning international human rights law • Promotion and protection of human rights in the UN framework • Promotion and protection of human rights in EU law • Economic, social, and cultural rights • Political and civil rights • Main EU treaties on human rights Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

6. Center for ExcellenceDialogue Europe • Institute for doctoral and postdoctoral research at Sofia University is a relatively new but well-established academic institution with original and innovative programme; • The Institute aspires to lead the way in university curriculum reform in Bulgaria; • It is aiming to adapt the best practices and standards in leading universities in EU countries and the United States Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

7. Motivation for a Solid Academic Course on Human Rights • Target Groups – B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. students of social sciences, active civil servants, diplomats, lawyers, social workers, NGO experts, etc.; • They do not have such introductory type of theoretical knowledge in international human rights law and concrete details of its practical implementation and protection system; • Thus a synthesis between International Law, International Relations and Social Science theories; • As a result the students will receive knowledge on the implementation of human rights law that will improve their practical skills in assessing international politics, political climate, state security, different social groups needs. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

8. Course Objectives • Major teaching aims and objectives – basic knowledge of debates concerning the protection of human rights • The approach is institutional and legal; • The course will present background information about and theoretical approaches to contemporary national and international (UN, EU, Council of Europe, OSCE) human rights issues; • The course also will help students acquire certain practical skills and a practical understanding of human rights protection mechanisms; • The course will also ensure that students know how to use EU, UN, and national mechanisms for the protection of human rights. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

9. Teaching Content –major topics to be covered • major paradigms of social sciences pertaining to the concept of global justice; • the evolving nature and concept of human rights; • the role of international organizations as supranational bodies performing specific functionswithin the system of international relations – UN, EU, Council of Europe, OSCE; • the evolving role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in protecting human rights; • the emergence of new organizational strategies to human rights Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

10. Teaching Content –major topics to be covered (pt. 2) • Political and communications strategies that can strengthen human rights institutions and lead to a more robust “human rights regime”; • The potential of the international system to protect human rights; • Comparative and international dimensions of human rights; • Effective human rights promotion and protection; Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

11. Presentation of Key Topics • The concept of universalism and opposing views will be presented in an introductory section on major theoretical issues • The course will present several case studies dealing with the implementation of human rights and their impact on global actors • The course will discuss legal regulations and practical considerations regarding human rights protection Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

12. Expected Results • The course is designed for approximately 30 students for 60 academic hours (2 hrs. each) • Teaching activities (lectures, seminars, group discussions of case-studies, individual students’ presentation, round-tables, etc.) • Each student will receive at the beginning of the course a packet with all the major readings assigned in the course • Students will be able to view Power Point presentations and use Internet sites and resources with relevant course materials. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

13. Teaching Style Considerations • Use and combine interactive methods of teaching and learning • Combine traditional lectures with seminars based on course readings, group discussions, and individual research presentations • The successful completion of the course will be based on class participation and performance on term papers and final examinations. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

14. Upon Completion of the Course, Students Will: • Have studied all major human rights documents • Have read and critically evaluated contemporary academic interpretations of the issues discussed • Be able to compare the European, North American, and Asian models of human rights protection • Be confident in exploring the structures, mechanisms, and practical activities of major international organizations, NGOs, and human rights protection networks • Be able to analyze case studies of “humanitarian intervention” in the post-Cold War international system • Have sharpened their writing and analytical skills. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

15. Specific Tasks for Students • use contemporary social science models and theories to understand international politics and concepts of human rights protection • draw on the disciplines of International Law, Political Science, International Relations, History, and Law to developa complex understanding of theoretical approaches and their practical implications for the geopolitics of the 21st century • probethe possibilities of, and limits to, cooperation among states in the field of human rights protection • understand conflicting visions and national perspectives on human rights protection Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

16. Topics Covered, 2009-2010, in Course on “Defining Human Rights: Legal, Social, and Political Aspects” Dialogue Europe, Sofia University 1 Dec. 2009, Nadia Boyadjieva and Kostadin Grozev, Dialogue Europe Introduction to Course, Requirements, and Individual and Group Assignments 3 Dec. 2009, Mark Kramer, Professor at Harvard University The Status of Human Rights in Russia since 1991 3 Feb. 2010, Darina Zinovieva Legal and Social Aspects of Patients’ Rights in Bulgaria 3 Feb. 2010, Nadia Boyadjieva Presentation on Case Studies and Planning for Individual Assignments 3 March 2010, Jerzy Buzek, President of European Parliament Europe and Freedom Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

17. 13 March 2010, Jordan Baev Human Rights and the Concept of European Security during the Cold War 13 March 2010, Nadia Boyadjieva Historical Evolution of International Human Rights Regimes before 1945 13 March 2010, Kostadin Grozev The U.S. Constitution and Human Rights (Theory) 20 March 2010, Nadia Boyadjieva Historical Evolution of International Human Rights Regimes after 1945 20 March 2010, Kostadin Grozev The U.S. Constitution and Human Rights (Practice) 29 March 2010, Valeri Kolev Turnovo Constitution and Human Rights Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

18. 7 April 2010, Ph.D. Student Colloquium Aneliya Koeva, “Basic Law of the FRG: Legal, Political, and Social Aspects”; Claudia Dobre, “Regulation and Institutionalization of Historical Memory; Sofiya Shigaeva, “Regulation of Human Rights in Azerbaijan; Vlad Lavrinenko, “Human Rights in Ukraine against the Backdrop of European Integration 20 April 2010, Yurii Turkalanov Security Agencies and the Maintenance of Public Order and Human Rights 15 May 2010, Ivo Hristov Chances for the Rule of Law in Bulgaria: A Legal-Sociological Analysis Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

19. 15 May 2010, Nadia Boyadjieva Preparation of Course Assignments 20 May 2010, Showing of the Film “Catharsis” with discussion afterward 31 May 2010, Danail Danov Freedom of Speech and of the Press in Bulgaria Today 14 June 2010, Karen van Casteren, Ambassador of the Netherlands Global Governance 22 June 2010, Irena Ilieva The Lisbon Agreement and Human Rights 24 June 2010, Jorge Fuentes, Ambassador of Spain Transatlantic Security after the Spanish Presidency of the EU 28 June 2010, Antonina Bakurdzhieva-Engelbrekt The EU and Consumers’ Rights Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

20. Lectures were delivered by Bulgarian professors and guests, including visiting professors from abroad, European ambassadors, and senior EU officials. Students earned a certificate with 6 ECT points at Sofia University upon successful completion of the course. Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA

21. Thank you for your attention. Address for Contacts: • Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva • Associate Professor of International Law and international Relations • mobile 00359-887-478258 • Fax: 00359-2-9746696 • Email: nadiaboyadjieva@gmail.com Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nadia Boyadjieva, 9th Fulbright Conference, Bansko, BULGARIA