Learning Outcomes

Students who earn the Certificate in Human Rights will be able to:

• critically analyze real-world global challenges from a human rights perspective;
• articulate creative and effective solutions to real-world global challenges from interdisciplinary perspectives by applying human rights principles, advocacy strategies, and tactics grounded in the basic concepts of human dignity, nondiscrimination, equality, diversity, and pluralism;
• identify and trace the impact of the major events that have led to the formation of contemporary human rights concepts, norms, and institutions;
• explain the historical underpinnings of international human rights advocacy and international institutions that emerged in response to doctrines of racial superiority, inequality, discrimination, imperialism, and conflict during the 20th century;
• apply human rights frameworks to other fields of study, including the student’s primary major and professional work;
• integrate concepts from other fields of study into their human rights coursework;
• critically analyze the major scholarly debates about human rights, past and present;
• articulate justifications of human rights frameworks and regimes as well as critiques of discourses on, and approaches to, human rights;
• explain foundational international human rights legal concepts and the interpretation and application of norms as well as the limits of the law in advancing human rights;
• identify human rights violations based on existing international human rights legal frameworks;
• identify the basic operational functions of international and domestic legal regimes involved with the promulgation, promotion, and protection of modern human rights standards;
• analyze and evaluate the relationship of human rights to individuals, governments, corporations, and civil society organizations, and analyze and evaluate the role of each in the promotion and protection of human rights and in relation to other social priorities;
• identify specific target audience(s) with the capacity to raise awareness about and mitigate human rights abuses, and to effectively communicate desired actions and outcomes to these diverse audiences in both academic and/or nonacademic settings; and
• develop critical thinking, reading, listening, writing, research, and analytical skills.

The undergraduate Certificate in Human Rights requires 18 s.h. of credit. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in certificate coursework. They may count a maximum of 6 s.h. of transfer credit toward the certificate with approval from the certificate program's faculty advisory group.

The certificate may be earned by any student admitted to the University of Iowa who is not enrolled in a UI graduate or professional degree program. Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) students may earn the certificate when the undergraduate classification is primary.

Individuals should declare their intent to earn the certificate in MyUI.

The Certificate in Human Rights requires the following coursework.

Foundations in Human Rights

Contemporary Global Issues in Human Rights

HRTS:2909/IS:2909 Human Rights Lab is repeatable. Other contemporary global issues courses are repeatable if the topic differs.

Human Rights in Practice

The Certificate in Human Rights teaches students to explore topics from interdisciplinary perspectives, identify solutions to global challenges, translate foundational concepts into effective advocacy, and strengthen their ability to communicate with diverse audiences. The certificate not only bolsters the skillsets of students who transition directly to a career following graduation, but it also benefits students bound for law school or other professional or graduate studies. Students enroll in the certificate program from undergraduate departments and majors across the University of Iowa.

Certificate program graduates currently have careers:

• creating legislative policy;
• working for human rights nongovernmental organizations (NGOs);
• coordinating services for people who are homeless;
• advocating for domestic abuse survivors;
• designing K–12 curriculums;
• creating international development programs for governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID);
• producing print and broadcast news; and
• resettling refugees and asylum seekers.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Human Rights, Certificate

a

Courses for the Certificate in Human Rights may be taken in any order. HRTS:2115 Introduction to Human Rights is taught in fall, spring, and summer terms. Most other courses are offered only one semester each year.

b

Complete a total of 6 s.h. of Contemporary Global Issues in Human Rights courses (prefix HRTS) numbered 2903 through 2909 or 3904 through 3906. Many Contemporary Global Issues in Human Rights courses are one semester, six- to eight-week courses.

c

Complete the 3 s.h. Human Rights in Practice requirement by taking HRTS:3910 (typically offered in the fall) or HRTS:3920 (typically offered in the spring).