Visiting Scholar (Human Rights) at Peking University Law School

The Peking University Law School Research Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law ( RCHR) has long experience in the field of human rights education and was one of China’s pioneering institutions in setting up separate courses on human rights law at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in China. In February 2004, a three-semester Human Rights Master Programme was launched at Peking University in cooperation with Sweden’s Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. As part of the development of our human rights activities, we are offering visiting scholar positions at our centre to facilitate solo and collaborative research and teaching. Visiting scholars will be expected to make a modest contribution to our masters’ programme, teaching a one semester course in a specialist topic of their choice.
We have the capacity to offer visiting scholar position in the forthcoming semesters. It is anticipated that visiting scholars will be self-funded, Peking University providing full support for visa applications and international standard office, computer and library facilities. It is an excellent opportunity for a scholar to live, research and work in Beijing while contributing in a meaningful way to the development of human rights education in China.

Qualifications:
• Five years of teaching experience in human rights;
• Solid reputation as human rights law researcher;
• Experience of working internationally within academia and from participation in international human rights will be an advantage;
• Ability to co-operate with a broad range of actors including colleagues and students;
• Strong research and pedagogical skills, cultural sensitivity as well as excellent interpersonal skills;
• Fluency in English.

Application procedure:
If you wish to apply for the position for any of the time period or combined (i.e. two semesters), please send detailed CV with cover letter, list of references, and a list of publications by e-mail or mail or fax to the Peking University Law School Research Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law,

Att: Ms Ma Xili, Secretary of the Centre:

Ms Ma Xili
c/o Professor Bai Guimei
Peking University Law School
Beijing, 100871
P R China
E-mail:[email protected]
Fax: 86-10-6276-7087
For further information please contact Ms Ma Xili, Secretary of RCHR (e-mail:
[email][email protected] , Tel: 86-10-6276-7955, Fax: 86-10-6276-7087) or Professor Guimei Bai,
Executive director of RCHR (e-mail: [email][email protected], Tel: 86-10-6276-6152, Fax:
86-10-6275-6542). The current RWI Visiting Professor in human rights at Peking University Law
School is also available for email discussions – Professor Rhona Smith (email: [email][email protected])

Terms of Reference

Visiting Scholar, Peking University Law School
September 2010-December 2010; or March 2011-June 2011; or September 2011-December 2011 or March 2012-June 2012

BACKGROUND

Established in 1904, the Peking University Law School (PULS) has become a leading institution for legal education and a potent force for legal development in China. PULS frequently partners with the government, with law firms and with the business community in the development of cutting edge legal, social and commercial policy. It also has many international links and partnership programs with leading universities and legal institutions around the world. Peking University graduates regularly become top lawyers, judges and government officials while its faculties belong to the elite of China.
The members of the Law School faculty have excellent backgrounds in academic research and teaching; with most having experience at some of leading universities abroad. The faculty possesses a deep understanding of both Western and Chinese legal cultures and are well prepared to lead discussion about not only China’s legal system but of legal systems around the world.
The Research Centre for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RCHR) of PULS was founded on April 25, 1997. It is an academic association with members of professors and scholars in international law, criminal procedure law, administrative law, comparative law and other areas of human rights. The RCHR is dedicated to facilitating academic exchanges between scholars both at home and abroad in the field of human rights, advancing the consciousness of human rights of Chinese citizens, and promoting human rights in China. RCHR has since its establishment held academic symposia and seminars on theoretical and practical problems of human rights both at domestic and international levels. It offers advisory opinions to the Chinese governmental institutions, including legislative, judicial and executive organs on matters such as the implementation of international human rights conventions. The Centre also edits and translates academic works and publishes documents and other materials on human rights.
For those interested in collaborative work or China-related research, a wealth of expertise is available in the Centre.

The Human Rights Masters Programme

In February 2004, a three-semester Human Rights Master Programme was launched at Peking University in cooperation with RWI. Students of the programme are selected on application basis from mainly among graduate students at Peking University. About 100 students have graduated from the programme, and are now playing significant roles in promoting human rights in China at different job positions including diplomats in human rights department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China Central Television. In March 2010, we will welcome our 7th class of 27 students including two visiting university teachers from Chinese western universities.
Outline of programme:
Spring Semester (March-June): Human Rights Protection Mechanisms (compulsory); Human Rights and the Rule of Law (compulsory); Core Rights (compulsory); one optional subject (options offered over the years include European Human Rights Systems ; International Refugees Law and Rights of Women)
Fall Semester (September–December): Series of Lectures on Human Rights in China (compulsory) and two optional subjects drawn from International Humanitarian Law , Human Rights from Comparative Perspectives Business and Human Rights and other options including Minority Rights and Rights of the Child.

Spring Semester (March-June): Preparation of master’s thesis (individual research project)

Visiting scholars are encouraged to teach one of our existing compulsory or optional modules but are also free to offer their own optional module on a human rights topic within their expertise.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER
The Peking University Law School will offer a fully equipped office and facilities including PC, internet with full international access, printer, desk, bookshelves etc. A traditional Chinese bicycle is also available if required for transport around the university and to and from your apartment!
Although we cannot offer accommodation, we can assist with locating accommodation appropriate to your needs. As an approximate guide, you should budget for a one bedroom flat near the university, costing approximately RMB 5,000 per month. Obviously Beijing is a major international city and it is possible to find accommodation in various parts of the city to suit a range of budgets. The subway system is clean, safe and efficient, meaning it is feasible to stay further away from the campus should you prefer.

The visiting scholar will also have access to the university main library and the Law Library, with its large range of English language materials. The library and internet facilities should be sufficient to support most research projects. In addition, the Student Cafeteria on campus is very convenient (an heavily subsidised) for meals (in the buffet cafeteria, you could easily eat three meals for approximately 15RMB)

We will also provide all supporting documentation required for obtaining the appropriate Chinese visa.

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the visiting scholars programme is to maintain the international character of the RCHR and its human rights master programme at Peking University Law School, bringing foreign perspectives to Chinese students and colleagues in the centre. Scholars are free to engage in research on any topic during their residency, making this position ideal for someone on sabbatical/ study leave and wishing time, facilities and space to develop a substantial research project.

TASK AND DUTIES OF THE VISITING SCHOLAR
In general and within the context of the above-mentioned objectives, the visiting scholar shall teach one course (two hours a week, 13 weeks a semester) and join the programme monthly meeting. The visiting scholar shall perform the following tasks:
• Arrive in Beijing at least three days before the semester starts;
• Teach one course, the topic of which shall be decided accordingly following the syllabi of the programme;
• Provide syllabus and time schedule for the course at least one week before the semester starts;
• Provide reading assignment for the students to the teaching assistant or the Programme Coordinator at least one week before the semester starts;
• Organize and mark the assessment.
• Attend the programme monthly meeting.