Student participants of two specialized courses, Combating Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Networks in the Americas (CTOC) and Strategic Implications of Human Rights and Rule of Law (HR/ROL), began the distance learning phases of their courses. The nearly 80 students represent 16 countries in Latin America. During the online phases, the students read articles designed to introduce basic concepts of the academic topics. Students comment and exchange opinions on readings in an online discussion group and on the topics. The online phase of the courses runs four weeks until May 8. The two-week in-person phase of the course begins May 11 at the William J. Perry Center at National Defense University in Washington, DC.