LAW 396 - Human Trafficking

This three-credit course provides a comprehensive examination of human trafficking (HT), a complex crime and human rights violation occurring on both domestic and international levels. Students will explore the multifaceted dimensions of HT, including its economic, social, and legal aspects, while gaining both substantive knowledge and practical skills to address the issue.
The course covers various legal frameworks, including international conventions, human rights instruments, and national laws aimed at combating human trafficking and forced labor. Students will analyze the different approaches to HT, from criminalizing prostitution and addressing organized crime to focusing on migration issues, economic drivers, and corruption. Additionally, the role of state and private actors, such as government officials, corporations, and non-governmental organizations, in enabling or combating HT will be examined.
Through case studies, students will explore real-world examples of trafficking for sex, labor, and organ harvesting across different regions. The course also delves into the ways in which corruption at public and private levels sustains human trafficking networks.
The skills component of the course equips students with practical tools to address policy, legal, and social issues related to HT. This includes analyzing trafficking cases, developing policy responses, and engaging in advocacy. By the end of the course, students will understand the complexity of human trafficking and the necessity of a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach involving governments, businesses, civil society, and the media.