Public Policy, Concentration in Human Rights and Democratic Governance

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Human rights issues are a controversial topic everywhere and many universities offer programs in human rights. However, only in Russia, which expressed its commitment to human rights only three decades ago, you can find a particularly productive environment for research: how theoretical international and domestic principles and standards are coming into practice, what problems arise on the road to the rule of law and democratic governance, and how government and human rights groups tackle with these problems on the institutional, political, legislative and public policy levels.

Too often human rights are studied and taught within a purely normative legal approach, ignoring the challenges of implementing international and domestic norms and existing public discussions and initiatives. At HSE human rights are studied in the context of Public Policy and Political Governance, paying special attention to the contesting interests, different stakeholders and their ability to have an impact on how human rights concerns are shaped by state and non-state actors. Teaching methods and choice of disciplines reflect different dimensions of human rights and enable Master program graduates to be effective in human rights research, monitoring, protection and promotion in equal measure.

HSE Master Program in Human Rights provides students with deep theoretical knowledge, strong analytical skills and practical experience in human rights research, monitoring, advocacy and litigation. Human rights experts will be able to work in different institutions of human rights protection, international treaty bodies, regional and local administrations, think-tanks, non-profit organizations, including human rights NGOs, international human rights organizations.

The program has been supported by a number of prominent human rights activists and NGO representatives both at regional and national levels. Besides being practical, this program is innovative in many other ways:

* inter-university video connection-based courses will become part of the curriculum
* students will be able to have internships at partner NGOs or governmental organizations that deal with human rights, e.g. Ombudsmen's offices at local and regional levels

Our master's program is based on the best experience of Master's Programs in Public Policy around the world. We are constantly developing and improving the program and involve in the teaching process representatives from the leading Russian, European and American universities, most influential think tanks and renowned international organizations. The list of our partners includes Bologna University,

Currently we are offering two concentrations Political Analysis and Public Policy and Human Rights and Democratic Governance. Students may choose from a wide variety of courses for both concentrations.

Curriculum

1st year of study

Mandatory courses:

* Comparative analysis of political systems
* Public Policy: Concepts and Methods
* Human Rights in Globalizing World

Research seminars:

* Methods and design of political research
* Human rights: theory and practice

Adaptation courses:

* Introduction to Public law
* Introduction to Policy analysis

* English for political analysts

Optional courses:

Specializations "Policy analysis and Public Policy", "Human rights and Democratic Governance"

* Institutional Economics and Public Policy
* Legal instruments in political process

3 out of 5. Specialization in "Policy analysis and Public Policy"

* Rhetorical analysis of modern political discourse
* Corporate Citizenship and Corporate social Responsibility
* Political pluralism in the West and East
* Large corporation as an actor of political governance
* Social stratification in Russia

3 out of 5. Specialization in "Human rights and Democratic Governance"

* Freedom of association and freedom of assembly in civic participation
* Free Expression and hate speech
* Social rights and their implementation by the government
* Non-violent civic actions: theory and practice
* Immigrants and ethnic minorities: xenophobia and tolerance
* Research practice/internship
* Research paper

2nd year of study

Mandatory courses

* Think Tanks as Policy Actors
* Global Actors in Public Policy

Research seminars:

* Methods and design of political research
* Human rights: theory and practice

Optional courses:

Specializations "Policy analysis and Public Policy", "Human rights and Democratic Governance"

* Negotiations of interests in public policy
* Lobbying and Advocacy

1 out of 2 "Policy analysis and Public Policy"

* Regional Policy and Regional Politics in Russia
* Government policy in ethnic relations

1 out of 2 "Human rights and Democratic Governance"

* International mechanisms of human rights defence
* National mechanisms of human rights defence
* Research practice/internship
* Final state attestation, including the defence of the Master thesis

Admission to the program is portfolio-based, rather than exams-based. The main documents that should be presented by the applicant include: * motivation letter, * CV, * official certificates or diplomas (if applicable) proving the applicant's achievements in the sphere of policy analysis, human rights, etc., * letters of recommendation (if applicable) from think-tanks, NGO leaders, governmental bodies, research tutors, * certificates of grants or awards (if applicable), * copies of publications and major research projects (if applicable), * certified copy of the employment record book (if applicable).Besides that, applicants should provide language proficiency certificates in English (IELTS, minimum score of 6.0, or TOEFL, minimum score of 4.0) or French (DELF/DALF or TCF/TEF, minimum level of B2). If the test results are not available, applicants must take a pass/fail exam in English between June 1st and July 25th. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6