The Department of Philosophy

"No cause is left but the most ancient of all, the one, in fact, that from the beginning of our history has determined the very existence of politics, the cause of freedom versus tyranny."

~Hannah Arendt

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Since 2005 the Philosophy Department has sponsored and promoted a small, but active, Amnesty International Club on campus. Professors Vince Kavaloski and John Fields have been the faculty advisors.

The club campaigns for global human rights through letter-writing, petitions, public education (e.g., table days in Wingra Café and Phil's) and "Jamnesty" concerts.

Members have also presented workshops at three Wisconsin Institute conferences.

The Chapter arose out of Vince Kavaloski's honors course on "Philosophy of Global Human Rights" (Spring Semester, 2001) and was supported by subsequent Philosophy Department courses.

Students in the Amnesty International club not only learn about the history and philosophy of human rights, but also engage actively as non-partisan advocates, thus developing the skills and consciousness of global citizens.