Course Description
“This course explores the phenomenon of human trafficking in historical, political and social context. The course begins with the query: What is human trafficking? While a seemingly straightforward question, it is one that remains hotly contested, despite the existence of legal definitions. Students examine the issue through the lens of international, U.S., and state and local legal frameworks as well as looking at the ways in which society and culture influence diverse understandings of the topic. Students also explore the complicated histories under-pinning current perceptions and how they influence contemporary responses to the problem. Drawing on a variety of sources – academic articles, media accounts, survivor narratives, policy documents, NGO reports, and film – the course explores the issue from multiple and intersecting perspectives in order to more fully grasp its complexity. The course also examines the types of advocacy that are being done around human trafficking and how survivors are impacted by anti-trafficking policies and responses.”
Source: U-Online
Human trafficking, which is the forced or deceptive movement or recruitment of people into exploitative conditions of labor, can be a difficult subject to wrap your head around. This course has provided me with the information needed to unravel problems associated with human trafficking. With this knowledge, I am now able to articulate the ways in which our society and culture understand human trafficking, and the responses one may have to it. By analyzing methodologies and evidence based on trafficking, I can interact with the material critically and evaluate current debated on human trafficking.
Work that Demonstrates my Knowledge
Media Journal
Description: A detailed analysis (in bullet form) of the article that considers the following and draws on examples to illustrate your points:
- How is human trafficking represented?
- What definition of human trafficking is used
- What beliefs are reflected?
- What evidence are claims based upon?
- What do you know about the background of the author or the source that is publishing the material?
- What kinds of “experts” are referenced and what are their credentials?
- What does the author do well and what needs improvement?
- A brief conclusion that provides 2-4 take away points on how the article does at representing HT and/or meeting media best practices.
Source: Blackboard
Research Project
Description: You will present your research in the form of a professional poster presentation or an awareness video. In either case, you will carefully research the topic, respond to any existing misinformation, and draw on evidence to support your analysis. Projects should include both a research and analytical component, meaning that you will want to research the topic in-depth and also analyze and synthesize your findings using the critical tools we have developed in this course. Overall, your project should address the following:
- What is the topic/question?
- Why is it significant?
- What information and evidence is available on the topic?
- What are the implications for policy development, practice, or future research?
You should articulate a thesis and make an argument by incorporating and synthesizing evidence from a variety of sources. Remember, responses to trafficking are complicated! Therefore, your argument and reporting on the topic should reflect that complexity.
Source: Blackboard
