Crowley Program in International Human Rights

What is the Crowley Scholars Program?

The Crowley Scholars Program gives law students the unique opportunity to combine academic study of international human rights with participation in a two-week-long overseas human rights fact-finding study conducted at the end of the spring semester. 

Crowley Scholars participate in all aspects of the Crowley Program in International Human Rights, take a basic human rights course in the fall semester, and enroll in a special Crowley International Human Rights Seminar in the spring.  The Crowley Seminar is focused on a specific human rights issue in a particular country and culminates in the two-week overseas fact-finding trip to investigate that issue.  Trip expenses are covered by the Crowley Program.

Students participate in all aspects of the project.  Prior to it, Scholars assist the Crowley Fellow with planning and logistics. During the on-the-ground study, Scholars interview government officials, academics, community leaders, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and members of affected populations. Following the on-the-ground study, Scholars assist the Crowley Fellow in drafting a comprehensive report setting forth their findings and recommendations. The report is published in the Fordham International Law Journal and as a stand-alone report for use by policymakers.

What will be the subject of the 2010–2011 Crowley Project?

The subject of the 2010–2011 Crowley Project will be decided in the fall of 2010 by the Crowley Fellow in conjunction with the Leitner Center Co-Directors.

The 2009-2010 project focused on land rights in Nepal.  Past projects have investigated domestic violence in New Zealand, the feminization of HIV/AIDS in Malawi, women, customary law, and constitutionalism in South Africa, educational access and segregation of Roma in Romania, access to health care in Kenya, social and cultural rights in Bolivia, civil rights in Malaysia, women’s inheritance rights in Ghana, criminal defendants’ rights in Mexico, the rule of law in Hong Kong, and torture and extra-judicial killings in Turkey.

Who is eligible?

Only Fordham 1L students (day or evening) or 2L evening students may apply to become Crowley Scholars. Participation in the Crowley Program takes place during the 2L year (for current day and evening 1L students) or 3L year (for current 2L evening students).

What do Crowley Scholars do?

1. Enroll in a basic international human rights course offered in the fall semester.
2. Enroll in the three-credit Crowley International Human Rights Seminar in the spring semester.
3. Participate in the day-to-day operation of the Crowley Program by doing regular office hours during the fall and spring semesters.
4. Attend all Leitner Center events, including weekly brown bag lunches and periodic lectures, panel discussions, and conferences.
5. Participate in the Crowley Program's annual fact-finding trip at the end of the spring semester.  The trip is usually conducted during the two weeks following the end of exam period.
6. Assist the Crowley Fellow in preparing the mission report. 
7. Publicize the project report in the fall semester following the on-the-ground study.
8. Assist the Crowley Fellow in monitoring and reporting on changing conditions in the subject country during the year following the fact-finding trip.

In addition, Crowley Scholars are strongly encouraged to enroll in additional human rights courses and to undertake human rights-related internships, writing projects, and independent studies.

NOTE:  The Crowley Program requires a serious commitment of time and energy during both semesters of the year and the subsequent summer.  Please think carefully about your other obligations (academic and otherwise) before deciding to apply.

When are applications due?

Applications must be received by 12 p.m., Monday, March 8, 2010, at the Leitner Center Office (33 West 60th Street, 2nd Floor, Room 222C).

How do I apply?

Interested students should submit a complete application package consisting of four (4) copies of the following:

1. A cover letter explaining your interest in the Crowley Scholars Program, your relevant background, and your summer plans, including whether or not you will be in New York during this summer (i.e., June–August 2010).  Your presence in New York during this summer will only affect the scheduling of interviews (see below) and will not impact your application in any other way.
2.  A résumé.
3. Contact information for two references.
4. An undergraduate (official) transcript.
5. A letter authorizing the Registrar to release your law school transcript to the Crowley Scholars Program Selection Committee.  The letter should be captioned, “Authorization of Transcript Release,” and should state, “I, [your name], give my permission for the Office of the Registrar of the Fordham University School of Law to release my academic transcript  to the Crowley Scholars Program Selection Committee in connection with my application.”  The letter should be signed and dated by you and include your social security number and dates of attendance.
6. A writing sample.  You may submit a paper from your legal writing class, a scholarly paper from your undergraduate studies, or another substantial piece of writing.

Are there interviews?

Yes.  A limited number of applicants will be selected for interviews in late spring or early summer.

What are the selection criteria?

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated interest in international human rights.
2. Relevant experience, including jobs and internships, coursework (especially in international law, international relations, economics, politics, or area studies), experience abroad (living, working, or traveling), and foreign language skills.
3. Maturity, discipline, and organizational skills.
4. Academic performance.

Questions?

Please contact Katherine Hughes at khughes@law.fordham.edu (646) 312-8770.  
For further information visit www.leitnercenter.org