My IVC placement is with Jesuit Worldwide Learning. JWL fulfils a pressing need and provides hope and opportunity to students on the margins. Indeed, one student wrote to thank me for offering the course that she characterized as “the most important thing in my life at the moment.” I am humbled.
JWL presents to me both an opportunity and a challenge: an opportunity to participate in an innovative educational organization, designed to meet students at the margins through regionally accredited degree granting courses. This also presents a challenge for me to examine long held, firm opinions on issues such as universality of human rights or acceptability of polygamy.
This placement also expects me to adapt my experience as Law School faculty to the needs of students at various levels both academically and in language facility. In harmony with Jesuit principles and tradition, JWL blends virtual and on-site learning with the hope of attending to and developing the whole person or cura personalis.
As set forth in its Mission statement:
“JWL provides equitable high-quality tertiary learning to people and communities at the margins of societies-be it through poverty, location, lack of opportunity, conflict, or forced displacement – so all can contribute their knowledge and voices to a global community of learners and together foster hope to create a more peaceful and humane world.”
“International Human Rights: Women’s Rights” was the course I taught. The JWL Human Rights and Women’s Rights class is part of the Certificate in Liberal Studies , which carries 30 credits. I have taught both courses numerous times at Seton Hall Law School and other Law Schools. The topics included many issues: genocide, trafficking, Human Rights treaties, domestic violence and equality.
During the first session, students introduced themselves by giving geographic location and background information. They were a diverse group: Christian, Muslim, Hindu and from Congo, India, and Somalia among other places. Students were in refugee camps, in traditional settlings, confined to home or living in other arrangements. Because of diversity in nationality, situation and religion, a wide diversity of opinion could be expected. However, it was clear that discussion would be fruitful and respectful as we discussed issues such as polygamy, Human Rights or crimes and their punishment.
Each course lasts eight weeks and students meet each week (where feasible) at an onsite learning center with an onsite facilitator. Five written assignments are required each week, culminating with an essay question as the final assignment. As the online facilitator, I graded all assignments and provided feedback to the students for each assignment. My time commitment was intense.
In this year of the Jubilee of Hope, I have the privilege to teach and be with people globally, who are living in a variety of circumstances of need and also of hope. I am grateful for this opportunity to participate in a unique learning experience for students and for myself.
– Elizabeth Defeis
[Elizabeth Defeis is Professor of Constitutional Law and International Law and was Dean of Seton Hall University School Law for five years. She has lectured both nationally and internationally on issues such as Rule of Law, Human Rights, Women’s Rights and Constitutional drafting for various Governments, the United Nations and the Fulbright program. Elizabeth has been a NY/Metro IVC member since 2023.]