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. 

Spring 2026 Course Offerings: 

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 3 s.h. (semester-length in-person course; fall 2026).

HRTS:2907/IS:2907 Literature and Human Rights 1 s.h., off-cycle; online; synchronous and asynchronous content (fall 2025) 

HRTS:2908/IS:2908 Governance and Human Rights 1 s.h., off-cycle; online; synchronous and asynchronous content (spring 2026)

HRTS:2909/IS:2909 Human Rights Lab 1 s.h., online; synchronous and asynchronous content (spring 2026)

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 2026)

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.