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Modul: Scholars at Risk Advocacy Seminar: Campaigning for Academic Freedom and At Risk Scholars

Modulname	Scholars at Risk Advocacy Seminar: Campaigning for Academic Freedom and At Risk Scholars
Gebiet
Profil	Profil Praxis Profil Freie Studien Profil Wissensvermittlung Profil Zukunft
CPs	10 CP
Campus	Hier geht es zum Vorlesungsverzeichnis
Voraussetzungen	We will be working on projects that have real world outcomes and have immediate effects on the lives of threatened scholars. Students will be conducting research work associated with active and ongoing human rights violations. We would therefore like to stress that we are dealing with real human beings in dire circumstances— they are counting on you and the information you bring as part of their best hope for living a safe life. This seminar therefore requires a commitment to actively and thoughtfully participate throughout the course. Because we will engage with advocacy work and because we are working with Scholars at Risk and our partner institutions, some of the dates in the syllabus will be in flux.
Besonderheiten	Participant places: 15 / 30 participants for the Optionalbereich Date of the first meeting: 16.04.2021, 15-17 Uhr (online via Zoom) Online access and further information will be available on Moodle from March 2021: https://moodle.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/m/course/view.php?id=36597 Registration: Formal registration via eCampus and submission of a resume/CV and letter of motivation (in English) as follows: The application requirements for the SAR Advocacy Seminar are a sound knowledge of English , at least two completed semesters of study at Bachelor´s level and an interest in humanitarian action, academic freedom well as in the interdisciplinary and intercultural exchange with other students . Applicants should hand in a short CV (one DIN A 4 page) and write a short motivation letter (max. 300 words), both in English , describing why they wish to participate in the seminar, their goals and their commitment. Registration Phase: 15.03. - 09.04.2021 (Here after the Allocation Procedure takes place.) Deregistration Phase: 15.03 - 23.04.2021 Remaining Place Allocation: 15.03. - 23.04.2021 Composition of the final grade: 1. Regular and active participation (individual): We will be working on projects that have real world outcomes and have immediate effects on the lives of threatened scholars. Students will be conducting research work associated with active and ongoing human rights violations. This seminar therefore requires a strong commitment to regularly, actively and thoughtfully participation throughout the course. (Makes up 40 percent of the final grade.) 2. Advocacy Report (group work): Collaborative preparation of a written report on the advocacy actions planned and organized. (Makes up 50 percent of the final grade.) 3. Presentation of the Report (group work): Presentation of the report to the examination committee, laying out, discussing and reflecting the advocacy campaign for a scholar at risk. (Makes up 10 percent of the final grade.) Prüfungstermin: The following examinations are due in September 2021. The exact deadlines for submission will be announced: 1. Advocacy Report 2. Presentation of Advocacy Report
Blockseminar	Nein
Vorkenntnisse	Good knowledge of English is required.
Veranstaltungszeit
Dozenten	Claudia Jahnel, Jens Schlamelcher, Kristin Platt, Iris Vernekohl
Arbeitsaufwand	The seminar takes place online via Zoom. Active and regular participation in both parts of the seminar as well as intensive preparation and follow-up are required. In addition, independently organized and comprehensive group work on one's own responsibility as well as in consultation with a provided tutor is expected. Furthermore, the abovementioned examination performances must be achieved and successfully implemented. Since the students work on their seminar contributions on real cases, a high degree of sensitivity as well as responsibility is also required.
Literatur	• Butler, Judith. “Academic Freedom and the Critical Task of the University.” Globalizations (2017). • Mitoma, Glenn and Kerry Bystrom. “Humanitarianism and Responsibility in Discourse and Practice.” In Human Rights Protection in Global Politics: Responsibilities of State and Non-State Actors, edited by Kurt Mills and Jason Karp, 23-45. New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2015. • The Advocates for Human Rights. Human Rights Tools for a Changing World: A step-by-step guide to human rights fact-finding, documentation, and advocacy. Minneapolis, MN, 2015.
Modulteil	[430009] The Idea of Academic Freedom, Engaged Scholarship & The Role of the Higher Education Community - SS 2021, [430010] SAR Student Advocacy: Campaigning for an At Risk Scholar - SS 2021
Modultyp
Modulanbieter	Zentrale wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen, Centrum für Religionswissenschaftliche Studien, Zentrale wissenschaftliche Einrichtungen, Institut für Diaspora- und Genozidforschung, Evangelisch-Theologische Fakultät, Fachschaft - Evangelische Theologie, Universitätsverwaltung, Dezernat 2 - Studierendenservice und International Office
Inhalt	Scholars at Risk Advocacy Seminar: Campaigning for Academic Freedom & at Risk Scholars Part I: The Idea of Academic Freedom, Engaged Scholarship & The Role of the Higher Education Community For science to contribute to the solution of local as well as global societal issues such as Climate Change, the COVID 19 pandemic or the UN Agenda 2030 Social Development Goals, it not only has to rely on international and interdisciplinary collaboration but also on open debate and on asking critical questions . Sometimes, these questions touch upon sensitive issues or issues that are disturbing to policy makers and governments around the world, who wish for simple facts and convenient solutions. Currently, and unfortunately so, there is an abundance of threats to academic freedom . Because of this, more and more academics in Europe and around the globe are fired, arrested, imprisoned, tortured or otherwise threatened based on their research, scholarly activism and social engagement. So, how has the idea of academic freedom evolved over time, throughout space and through differing perspectives? (In how far) does academic freedom interact with Human Rights, Democracy and the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals? And, most importantly, how can the scientific community - especially higher education institutions, researchers and students- promote core higher education values, protect academic freedom and/or support at risk scholars ; both “at home” at the Ruhr University Bochum, through RUB´s international partnerships/network of international partnerships/UNIC as well as abroad/on a global scale? These are the core questions that we are going to jointly discuss and collaboratively act upon in the framework/context of this innovative, highly interactive and engaging as well as practice oriented course and in partnership with the SAR Network in New York, an NGO which protects and advocates for at risk scholars and promotes academic freedom worldwide. We will also hear the voices of At Risk Scholars at the RUB and other institutions around the world as well as Science Organisations and HEIs that are involved in supporting SARs and promoting academic freedom. Part II: SAR Student Advocacy: Campaigning for an At Risk Scholar In part II of the course, you will actively approach these topics through participation in collaborative, real-world human rights advocacy projects . In doing so, you will work in small student groups to do a background analysis on the history and status of an atrisk/imprisoned scholar, to develop and implement an advocacy strategy and to write a report for the Scholars at Risk Network in New York supporting the case of the at risk scholar . This may include developing and maintaining outreach initiatives, working with other organizations, generating public awareness and interest, working on local press outreach and developing social media campaigns. Throughout this process, collaboration with Scholars at Risk New York will be instrumental. Staff members of SAR will be zoomed in four times during the semester to train, assist and advice you on how to monitor the case of an imprisoned/threatened scholar, conduct advocacy, write related reports and communicate them effectively. Apart from this, you will also benefit from close contact with and feedback from the Global Engagement and University Without Borders managers at the International Office of the RUB as well as an SAR Tutor. In turn, you will provide an important support to SAR by way of your advocacy on a realworld project. You will be assisting real people in situations of threat. Because of this, the course is especially designed and suitable for students who -through actively taking part in and contributing to this seminar and through their actions and studies more generally, wish to engage in real world problem solving in order to make a societal impact ; not only at home, at the Ruhr University Bochum, but also globally//both at the Ruhr University Bochum but also on a global/international scale. Syllabus: Part I: The Idea of Academic Freedom, Engaged Scholarship and the Role of the Higher Education Community 1. Academic Freedom, Contemporary Threats & Impacts on Society 1.1 Welcome & Introduction to the Course and the Scholars at Risk Network 1.2 Historical Perspectives & Contemporary Interpretations of the Concept of Scientific Truth, the Idea of Academic Freedom and other Core Academic Values 1.3 Academic Freedom and Human Rights: The Difference of Academic Freedom, Free Speech, and Hate Speech 1.4 (Types and Sources of) Threats to Academic Freedom and other Core Academic Values 1.5 Why and How Academic Freedom Matters: Academic Freedom, Democracy and Sustainable Development 2. Promoting Academic Freedom & Protecting At Risk Scholars: Institutions, Actors and Actions Involved (2-3) 2.1 The Role of Individual Scholars and Engaged Scholarship: Insights from At Risk Scholars and their Hosts (incl. SAR Case Presentations) 2.2 The Role of Higher Education Institutions: SAR-related Initiatives and Activities at Ruhr University Bochum (Rectorate, International Office, IEE, IFHV) 2.3 The Role of the Global Higher Education Community: Insights from International Science and Advocacy Organisations Part II: SAR Student Advocacy: Campaigning for an Imprisoned Scholar (Parallel Student Group Work, supported by SAR NY and SAR Tutor) 3. Selection of an SAR Case and Setting Up a Case Monitoring Plan 3.1 SAR Case Selection, Student Group Formation and Principles of Conducting a Background Analysis and Writing an Advocacy Research Report 3.2 Setting Up a Case Monitoring Plan and Schedule 3.3 (International) Peer Exchange on Conducting a Background Analysis on the Case and Setting UP a Case Monitoring Plan and Schedule 4. Developing and Organizing Student Advocacy Actions and Writing Advocacy Research Reports (Parallel Group Work, supported by SAR NY and SAR Tutor) 4.1 Critical Discussion of and Strategizing on Different Forms of Human Rights Advocacy Action 4.2 Introduction to Project Management and Fundraising Tools for Advocacy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation 4.3 Planning and Scheduling of the Advocacy Actions & Establishing Roles and Working Rules for the Student Groups 5. End-Of Seminar Advocacy Capstone Event & Presentation of Advocacy Report 5.1 (International) Peer Exchange on Organising Advocacy Actions and Writing Advocacy Reports 5.2 End-of Seminar Advocacy Capstone Event 5.3 Presentation and Discussion of the Student Advocacy Actions (Report) to the Examination Committee 5.4 Course Wrap Up, Evaluation and Discussion of Possible Ways Forward
Lernziele	In addition to an in depth understanding of different Academic Freedom, Core Academic Values and Human Rights issues and their societal implications you will further develop your research and engaged scholarship competencies, your global (citizenship) & sustainability competences as well as your media and information literacy competencies. Upon active and regular participation in the course, you will be particularly able to…: 1. …identify, describe, explain and communicate as well as critically reflect different positions/perspectives on the value and impact of academic freedom as well as further core academic values and human rights as a framework for (scholarly) action (in an international and intercultural context/setting and in English). 2. …detect, critically reflect, and adequately act upon certain types of violations of /threats to academic freedom and related (scholarly) responses as well as in relation to further core academic values and human rights and by means of different types of advocacy as well as basic engaged scholarship/research actions. 3. ...monitor the case of an imprisoned/threatened scholars and to (independently and creatively) develop, plan, implement, monitor and assess/evaluate a related advocacy campaign/event (in English) as part of an internationally and interculturally diverse student team and in close collaboration with an international NGO (the Scholars at Risk Network in New York), members from the central university administration (International Office of the RUB) and family members of the imprisoned scholar(s). 4. …collaboratively produce and write an advocacy report in English and to (jointly and virtually) present and communicate it (in a digital format) to a variety of audiences from the higher education community and beyond. 5. …proficiently and effectively employ a range of (digital) project/event management and collaboration/communication/presentation tools, including social media.