The UICHR regularly offers undergraduate courses that explore complex issues and subjects related to human rights. These courses are offered through the College of Law as part of the Certificate in Human Rights, but are open to any students at the University of Iowa. 

Summer 2025 Course Offering:

hands holding up human rights for all banner advertising Introduction to Human Rights; May 16 - June 26; online course; instructors Amy Weismann, J.D. and Jo Butterfield, Ph.D.

Fall 2025 Course Offerings: 

Image of scales of justice and UDHR. Advertises fall 2025 Introduction to Human Rights Course, number HRTS:2115. Instructor is Amy Weismann, J.D.
Word cloud advertising Approaches to Advocacy; HRTS 3910; instructor is Amy Weismann
Image of globe advertising Business, Labor, and Human Rights; HRTS 3904; instructor in Aaron Page, J.D.
image of destruction from bombing; advertises armed conflict and accountability online course.
Person holding book; advertises literature and human rights; instructor is Erika Christiansen

Regular Course Offerings: 

Foundations in Human Rights

HRTS:2115 Introduction to Human Rights 3 s.h.; in-person (fall, spring); online; synchronous and asynchronous content (summer). Analysis and evaluation of the international human rights program; relationship between human rights and international law.

Human Rights in Practice

HRTS:3910 Approaches to Advocacy: From Theory to Practice 3 s.h.; in-person (fall)
Students explore real-life human rights and humanitarian advocacy initiatives, learn to apply a variety of advocacy models, and critically analyze challenges faced by practitioners working in the field of human rights advocacy.

HRTS:3920 Advocacy in Action: From the Classroom to Congress (spring); focus on field-based advocacy and human rights frameworks.

Contemporary Global Issues in Human Rights

HRTS: 2902/IS:2902 The Arts and Human Rights 1 s.h., off-cycle; in-person (not currently scheduled) 

HRTS:2903/IS:2903 Technology and Human Rights 1-3 s.h., off-cycle; online; synchronous and asynchronous content (fall 2024--3 sh.) 

HRTS:2907/IS:2907 Literature and Human Rights 1 s.h., off-cycle; online; synchronous and asynchronous content (fall 2024) 

HRTS:2908/IS:2908 Governance and Human Rights 1 s.h., off-cycle; online; synchronous and asynchronous content (spring 2025; fall 2025)

HRTS:2909/IS:2909 Human Rights Lab 1 s.h., online; synchronous and asynchronous content (spring 2025)

HRTS:3904/IS:3904 Business, Labor, and Human Rights 3 s.h., in-person (every other fall)

HRTS:3906 Global Crises in Human Rights 3 s.h., in-person (spring 2025)

Please visit the UI Office of the Registrar for information regarding registration deadlines for courses or email Jo Butterfield, Advisor Human Rights Certificate, at jo-butterfield@uiowa.edu.