Senior Elective Explores Human Rights, Genocide 

At Xavier, students are expected to become men for others—including in political and international life.

Seniors in Xavier’s Human Rights and Genocide elective are tackling the complex moral and ethical questions raised by international conflict and learning how they can make a difference.

Xavier President Jack Raslowsky taught the first half of the elective course, a study of civil rights in the United States. This semester, Dean of Academics Luciano Lovallo is broadening the discussion to the world stage.

“My vision has been this walk through the late 20th century into the early 21st century through the lens of genocide,” said Mr. Lovallo, who guides students as they study the recent history of Cambodia, Iraq, Bosnia, and Rwanda. “Students study the geopolitical and economic factors and evaluate the U.S. response.”

In late February, students had the opportunity to speak via Skype with Matthew Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights, an organization that works to prevent and remedy human rights violations. Mr. Smith was Mr. Lovallo’s roommate during their time at Columbia University.

Mr. Smith, who published an op-ed in The New York Times a few days after his Skype call with Xavier seniors, emphasized the importance of international relationships in the protection of human rights. “Students understand that there is great complexity to these issues, and no easy answers,” Mr. Lovallo said.

Later this semester, students will hear from Lt. Col. Roy Campbell (USA, Ret.), Xavier’s Senior Army Instructor, who was part of the team that developed the U.S. military response in Rwanda in 1994. They will also complete a culminating project on one of six “forgotten genocides,” atrocities that have largely been overlooked by the world’s media.

Students in the Human Rights and Genocide class, which Mr. Lovallo said is “structured like a university course,” said they enjoy the opportunity to discuss issues of international importance. “It’s a different kind of class. I get to share my opinions,” said Charlie Lambert ’15.

“As Americans, we tend to distance ourselves from world events,” said Soheb Osmani ’15. “Learning about these issues allows us to feel a greater degree of responsibility.”