Students in Tehila Sasson's course "Origins of Human Rights" had a special guest speaker last week: former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Led by Sasson, assistant professor of history, the course seeks to analyze how the evolution of human rights became part of the contemporary framework of politics, law and culture. It is cross-listed in the departments of history, anthropology, African American studies, African studies and interdisciplinary studies in Emory College.

Carter's administration was a pivotal moment for the international history of human rights, and in his Nov. 9 visit, he spoke with students about foreign policy, civil rights, decolonization and the Cold War, Sasson notes.

As University Distinguished Professor at Emory, Carter regularly visits campus to share his insights on topics including history, political science, international relations, global health advocacy and more.