ABSTRACT
The policy formulation process is one of the traditional subjects addressed in policy courses (Barusch, 2014; Cummins, Byers, & Pedrick, 2011; DiNitto, 2011; Haynes & Mickelson, 2009; Jansson, 2013; Karger & Stoesz, 2013; Segal, 2013). However, social work texts in the policy field focus almost exclusively on American policy-making bodies. A few authors do include a chapter regarding international policy, but this material is often presented in a compartmentalized fashion. The separation of domestic and international policy content may be one inhibitor to the full integration of human rights concepts in the policy course. Actors in the international level of policy development are well versed in the human rights philosophy and actively use human rights terms in the construction of policy. Further, policy debates at the international level and the international policies themselves have an influence on domestic policies. A more thorough integration of international policy development in the policy course is one way to broaden student awareness of the human rights philosophy, while deepening their understanding of policy development in an increasingly global context.
