College of Humanities & Social Sciences Launches Two New Programs
4 min readThe American University of Armenia (AUA) is excited to announce the upcoming launch of two new programs in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS). The programs are set to launch in August 2021, pending final authorization from the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.
The Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance (BAPG) is a four-year undergraduate program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the relationship between politics, society, and governance. The program focuses on decision-making and conflict resolution at the local, national, and international levels, and how democracy, citizenship, rule of law, and human rights are interconnected. Though situated in the Armenian context, the program takes a global view and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to contextualize and address political and societal challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.
The BAPG program will build on the successes and achievements of the Master of Political Science and International Affairs (MPSIA) program, and will provide direct support for the University’s transformative priorities in Centers of Excellence, Reality Lab-based teaching and research, and internationalization. Students that graduate from the program will be prepared for leadership and careers in public service with both domestic and international organizations — from municipalities and national ministries to the World Bank and United Nations. They may also find themselves employed in the private sector with businesses that interact closely with government, or with non-profit organizations that provide a variety of public services outside of government. More details about the new undergraduate program can be found at bapg.aua.am.
The BAPG program was created to address the need for young people in Armenia to understand the process of politics and governance in order to shape the economic and social future of Armenia. Dr. Brian Ellison, Interim Provost and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is enthusiastic about the program’s expected positive impact. “Our bachelor’s degree program in Politics and Governance will help us train and educate a new generation of leaders for Armenia. The program takes the broadest perspective in helping young people understand how political processes are used to create society.”
In June 2020, a survey was conducted to offer insight on the perspectives of AUA students. “Considering the current political situation in Armenia, it is crucial for future generations to have a better understanding of politics, to learn the core and gist of the issues in governance and public policy,” one prospective student comments. “I hope that it will contribute toward the future of the government of the Republic of Armenia by bringing significant changes into it through the future alumni of this major,” another mentions.
MPSIA Program Chair and Associate Professor Dr. Vahram Ter-Matevosyan remarks on the prospective program. “Like the PSIA graduate curriculum, the undergraduate program will be rich and comprehensive in content and is expected to be a game-changer in Armenia. We have worked relentlessly to design a new BA program in Politics and Governance. These are the priority challenges that will make us bigger and better: bigger as we attract more students to study and conduct research with us, and better as we reach new heights in serving the changing and increasing needs of Armenia and meeting the growing demand for knowledge through education and research. AUA has diligently kept its promise to serve Armenia, and the launching of this program is a testament to our commitments.”
The Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice is a one-and-a-half year graduate program that will be jointly delivered by two successful graduate programs of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Master of Laws (LL.M.) and the Master of Political Science and International Affairs (MPSIA) programs. This new Human Rights graduate program will welcome its first students in Fall 2021 and will focus on teaching human rights issues in the areas of law and justice, political freedoms and democracy, gender and sexuality, race, ethnicity, and religion through the development of the professional skills needed to work effectively toward peace and justice across a variety of organizational settings. The curriculum examines human rights and social justice through the lens of law, politics, and governance at the local, regional, and international levels.
As a young, democratic nation, itself a victim of abuse, atrocity, and foreign domination for centuries, Armenia needs young people with a higher education and professional skills. This graduate program was created to equip young people to address the human rights and social justice issues in Armenia and build a strong framework for human rights protection and an inclusive society.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to build a program which will primarily focus on preparing the leading professionals and advocates for human rights issues, who will be on the frontline to call attention to social injustice and find constructive and effective ways to address and prevent it in the future,” shares LL.M. Program Chair and Associate Professor Adelaida Baghdasaryan.
The MA in Human Rights and Social Justice program will provide direct support for AUA’s transformative priorities in Centers of Excellence, Reality Lab-based teaching and research, and internationalization. Students in the program will be prepared for careers in domestic and international public service, private enterprise, advocacy, and non-profit organizations at large. More details about the new graduate program will be published soon.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.