Enhancing the Role of International Human Rights in the Psychology Curriculum

Abstract

International human rights are an important concern among psychologists. Consequently, many psychological professional organizations across the globe have begun to incorporate fundamental tenets of human rights into policy statements and ethics codes. As a result of these changes, psychology educators need to expand the curriculum to include human rights. This article provides examples aimed at the integration of human rights content into existing courses (e.g., lecture topics, activities, and service learning opportunities) as well as suggestions for creating courses which are focused solely on human rights. Given the fact that psychological and physical health has been tied to respect for international human rights, it is imperative that our students, as global citizens and future psychologists, understand and value these rights.