As a senior in the Embrey Human Rights Program, I am often asked, “When is human rights going to become a major at SMU?” My answer has to be a frustratingly vague “Soon” or “It’s hard to tell, maybe fall of 2011 or maybe 2012.”

Human rights is a new and unique field in academia.  It is truly interdisciplinary and has both a practical and theoretical side.  It is both idealistic and pragmatic.

As a bridge between the humanities and the social sciences, the human rights major will be valuable to a diverse set of students from many fields.  The study and practice of human rights is crucial to educating all future citizens and leaders in our global society.

Whether a student’s ultimate goal is to become a lawyer, a doctor, an engineer, an artist, a businessperson, a professional athlete, or any other occupation that SMU students will become, a fully developed education in human rights will be valuable and pertinent to becoming a more ethical person and having a successful career.

I came to SMU in the fall of 2007, the first semester of the Human Rights Program.  I was amazed that this university could have a program like human rights.  I signed up as soon as I could.  I am no longer amazed that we have a Human Rights Program; I am amazed that other universities do not.  I am amazed that students at SMU cannot MAJOR in human rights.

While participating in Mustang Mondays for Dedman College last year, I had so many questions about the Embrey Human Rights Program.  People were interested in SMU because of the program.  Now these students attend SMU and the school is better for it.  Not only are they bright and engaging students, they are determined to make a difference on our campus and in our world.  The very students that SMU is determined to attract are attending this university to be involved in the Embrey Human Rights Program.

Current and future students are eagerly waiting for the Human Rights major at SMU.  The common expectation for the major was originally this fall.  This goal has come and gone with deliberations seeming to be at a standstill. This is particularly disappointing to me, because, as a senior graduating in May, I will unable to participate in the major.

What is even more disappointing is that this university leaves students in limbo about such an important decision.  Every semester that the SMU bureaucracy drags its feet on this major is another group of SMU students disappointed by the missed opportunity to become one of the first American students with such a degree.

With an established and successful minor, the Embrey Human Rights Program has found a place within the university.  It provides many important resources to SMU, such as the human rights minor, conferences about important human rights topics, lectures by leading thinkers and actors in the field of human rights, travel and research opportunities, and resources for interested students.

These have all been invaluable additions to my SMU experience.  My participation in the program has led me to international research opportunities and internships in important human rights organizations in Dallas.  With the major, the Embrey Human Rights Program can further develop these resources and valuable opportunities to provide unparalleled experiences to SMU students.

In the future, I see SMU’s human rights major growing into what European universities are developing – a program that teaches students the theories and philosophies of human rights and trains students in important human rights skills, such as qualitative and quantitative research methods, advocacy, economic development, international politics and management of non-profit organizations.  With this type of focus, SMU could stand as a peer to such great universities as Oxford University and the London School of Economics.

SMU needs to commit to this major and to its students wanting to pursue goals bigger than themselves.  A major in Human Rights can only contribute to the SMU’s vision “to create and impart knowledge that will shape citizens who contribute to their communities and lead their professions in a global society.”

Jordan Johansen is senior history, music and anthropology triple major. She can be reached for comments or questions at [email protected].