Wrongful Conviction

 

This four-week, accelerated summer program provides students with the opportunity to study human rights and focus on the specific area of wrongful conviction. This program is composed of two courses and includes opportunities to observe trials and visit London-based organizations working in human rights and on behalf of the wrongfully accused.
 
Wrongful Conviction is a universal problem that has received a great deal of attention from the media, legislatures, and courts around the world in recent years. From the Netflix series “Making a Murderer” to the NPR podcast “Serial,” there is a growing fascination with how people are wrongfully convicted and the processes and procedures used to right these wrongs.
 
During the 4 weeks Global Seminar through CAPA Global Education Network you will have the opportunity to study this growing area of focus within the fields of human rights, law and journalism in a comprehensive and immersive way. 
 
The seminar is taught by a law professor who has spent his career litigating wrongful conviction cases and directing the California Innocence Project.  It is designed to provide you with an overview of the issues and case law related to wrongful convictions through the use of interactive exercises, lectures, readings, videos, and case studies.
 
 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity:

  • to use a human rights framework to analyze and assess topical issues of rights, social justice and inequality
  • to state the basic procedural process for litigating a wrongful conviction
  • to advance your intercultural communication skills and develop deeper understanding of opportunities and challenges the globalization brings to the academic and professional environments 

If your first thoughts of London are the Royal Family and Downton Abbey, prepare to be blown away. English history and culture are juxtaposed against streets lined with Indian restaurants and Chinese New Year celebrations. The birthplace of the English language is now home to speakers of more than 30 other languages – and that is not counting the variety of English accents you will hear. Skyscrapers tower over 17th-century buildings while Big Ben overlooks the River Thames. Study abroad in London and you find yourself constantly surprised by what you discover in one of the world’s most diverse and global cities.
 
 

Where You'll Live: 

Part of the experience is to live like a Londoner. The overwhelming majority of students choose to live in shared apartments – the English call them flats – spread across the city. While apartments are as varied as the city itself and no two flats are alike, all of them are located in safe neighborhoods and secure buildings. Regardless of where you live, you can expect a 45- to 60-minute commute to the CAPA Center.  We’ve got your commute covered with an unlimited pass for Zones 1 and 2 on the London Underground.
 
You can expect the following:

  • Shared bedrooms (2 or 3 students/bedroom, single bed or bunk bed)
  • Bedding, but need to bring your own towels
  • Shared bathroom
  • Shared kitchen 
  • Internet access (for general browsing, but not meant for heavy downloading or streaming)
  • Coin operated laundry 
  • It is not typical for UK residences to have air conditioning or dryers

 
Please note that meals are not included in the program fee.
 
You will receive your address, roommate information, and neighborhood description about 2 weeks before your departure for London.We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change.  Contact your program manager with any questions.
 

What You'll Study: 

You will take 2 courses for a total of 6 credits. Program is open to all students interested in the theme of this program, no pre-requisite courses are required.

Information about how the courses on this program count towards general education requirements for different schools and campuses can be found at www.abroad.pitt.edu/geneds. 

Critical Issues in Criminal Justice (ARTSC1017)

Wrongful Conviction is a universal problem that in recent years has received a great deal of attention from the media, legislatures, and courts around the world. From the Netflix series “The Making of a Murderer” to the NPR podcast “Serial,” there is a growing fascination with how people are wrongfully convicted and the processes and procedures used to right these wrongs. This course is taught by a law professor who has spent his career litigating wrongful conviction cases and directing the California Innocence Project. It is designed to provide students with an overview of the issues and case law related to wrongful convictions through the use of interactive exercises, lectures, readings, videos, and case studies.

Syllabus:
PDF icon Download Wrongful Conviction syllabus (1).pdf (88 KB)
Global Perspectives on Human Rights in Action (PS1675)
Syllabus:
PDF icon Download sample syllabus PSCI 3355.pdf (167.41 KB)

Pitt runs this program in partnership with CAPA: The Global Education Network. For more than 45 years CAPA: The Global Education Network has worked with institutions of higher education to build programs that meet students goals for learning abroad. 
 
The CAPA London Center is housed in 2 connected Victorian townhouses in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and their staff will be there to assist with any questions or challenges through out the program. 
 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Kelsey Sobecki

Hello! I’m Kelsey, Program Manager for Arts & Sciences students. I am a native Pittsburgher and studied abroad in Rome, Italy as an undergraduate at Duquesne University, and received my Master’s degree at University College Dublin in Ireland. I have been in the field of International Education for 10 years, which includes time spent living and working on-site with study abroad students in both Rome and Dublin. I am so excited to support Pitt students in their study abroad journey! Please feel free to reach out to me at kls299@pitt.edu or make an appointment to start planning your global experience!

 

E-mail: 
kls299@pitt.edu

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition Fees $4,938.00 $5,138.00
Program Cost $1,461.00 $1,461.00
Study Abroad Fee $300 $300
Total Billed by Pitt $6,699.00 $6,899.00

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Airfare $1,300-$1,500
Personal Expenses and Meals $1,000 - $1,500

 

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad.  Visit our Budgeting page for more information.

 
What's Included: 

As a part of your Wrongful Conviction program fee, the follow are included:

  • Tuition for 6 credits
  • Housing
  • Orientation in London
  • Cultural Events and Activities 
  • An Unlimited Tube Pass for Zones 1 and 2
  • Health Insurance
  • Membership to the Student Central facilities 
What Else You Need to Know: 

To mitigate the potential risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus, our provider is asking for proof of vaccination to participate in the program. 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from London. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!