An interview with Calum McCracken on his experience throughout the Masters program.
Human Rights Coursework
Can you describe a particular course or project in human rights that profoundly impacted your understanding or perspective?
Several experiences come to mind, but one example stands out as it confronted me with the limits of human rights as an organizing concept. In our “Law, Human Rights, and Justice” course, we engaged with the work of political/legal theorist Samuel Moyn. His writing critically examines the contingency of human rights, couching economic and social rights within broader debates on equality and sufficiency. This framing prompted me to reconsider the role of human rights in the realm of global distributive justice. In short, Moyn suggests that human rights tend to share key aspects with neoliberalism, as their demands tend to centre on the individual, or what is merely sufficient for the fulfillment of basic needs (cite). This perspective casts doubt on the capacity that human rights has to address the material conditions that give rise to distributive inequality. However, It is equally true that the normative content of human rights has been crucial to redressing state violence and social marginalization. In the end, I hold onto the hope that the project of human rights might yet underpin a radically different socioeconomic project.
Were there any challenging concepts or discussions in your human rights courses, and how did you address them?
Certainly, one of the most challenging courses was “Genocide in the 20th Century.” Beyond the pitch-black material, the course compelled me to critically examine the exclusionary aspects of genocide discourse. Specifically, the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide’s (UNGC) circumscribed treatment of ‘cultural genocide’ and ‘genocide of political groups.’ In my view, this compromise is born of a desire to insulate States and State actors from scrutiny and liability. It is here that historical narratives become contested and shaped in service of power and political expediency. These insights, among others, helped me grasp the limits of international law, highlighting the need for robust social justice advocacy where top-down mechanisms fall short.
Social Justice Coursework
What inspired you to engage with social justice coursework initially?
Social justice coursework provides a vital space to critique and challenge exploitative power dynamics across social, political, and economic domains. This work often emerges from grassroots movements, characterized by ongoing, recursive dialogues between affected groups and decision-makers. This vibrant, adaptive approach starkly contrasts with the rigidity often found within institutional frameworks, which is precisely why I was drawn to it.
In what ways has the social justice coursework prepared you to tackle these systemic inequalities?
One transformative experience was in my ‘Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Pedagogy and Practices” class. The curriculum centred on decolonizing the discourse. This reflexive work is vital and ongoing for me, and I hope to cultivate a more compassionate, relational, and ecologically conscious academic practice. I believe this approach fosters a more grounded and contextualized analysis of social justice issues that can address systemic inequalities in collaboration with vulnerable groups.
Experiential Learning
Could you explain how experiential learning was incorporated into your MA program? What forms did it take?
One of the most impactful moments came during my “Indigenous Pedagogies and Practices” course. We examined the case of Cindy Gladue, whose murder trial highlighted the intersection of systemic colonial and gendered violence. In class, our instructor, Tracy, led a remembrance ceremony for Cindy and other victims of colonial violence. Per Tracy’s instruction, we each offered words of recognition and placed tobacco on the ground as a symbol of respect. This ceremony brought a much-needed sense of empathy and acknowledgement that is often missing in settler-colonial legal settings.
Practicum
How do you plan to apply the skills and insights gained from your practicum in your future career?
My practicum experience at the British Columbia Law Institute directly supports my pursuit of a doctorate in political theory in several meaningful ways. First, the interdisciplinary nature of the work—which blends scholarship from law, social justice, and ethics—aligns well with political theory, which often cuts across these conceptual thickets as well. The practicum also honed my critical analysis and methodological skills—key components of conducting doctoral research. Developing best practices for consultation pushed me to evaluate diverse sources and refine complex ideas systematically, which will be vitally important when designing and conducting my own research. Lastly, exploring structural violence and power relations in my practicum directly informs the kind of questions I aim to tackle in my PhD.
Image Credit
Photo Credit: Adrien Converse via Unsplash