The Graduate Certificate in Human Rights and Technology will critically analyze the intersections between information and communication technologies (ICTs) and human rights. Human rights workers need to increasingly be aware of the power and pitfalls of various types of technology while technology workers need to better understand the human rights implications of their work. In the proposed program students can explore such critical issues as: data rights, privacy, misinformation, artificial intelligence, surveillance, cyberactivism, encryption, e-learning, and data literacy. Numerous technologies will also be covered such as big databases, blockchain, surveillance technology, virtual reality, crowdsourcing of human rights data, and archiving of digital media. These technologies have the potential to significantly advance human rights, but technology is also being used to surveil, harass, disrupt, and suppress individuals and groups seeking to advance human rights. This program will critically assess the capabilities and limitations of currently used and emerging ICTs. Students will take one required course in HRTS and one in the I-School. They will also take two electives and complete an experiential course called Human Rights and Technology Project. It is expected that their project will be applied and bring important insights gained from both human rights and technology.
With the innovative curriculum and pedagogy of the HRTS program that relies heavily on videoconference guest lectures, students will learn from human rights practitioners and technological experts who are breaking new ground using technological applications for advancing human rights. Students will also have opportunity to work with scholars who study the ethical and political dimensions of technology and human rights, and the implications of new challenges like fake news, false video, data collection and improper use. Through their coursework and final projects students will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects with human rights organizations and technology professionals.
Please visit https://humanrightspractice.arizona.edu for comprehensive information about this program.