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Minor Requirements

The human rights minor provides an interdisciplinary overview of the key questions and concerns shaping the study of human rights. Students explore the complexities underlying civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, both in theory and practice. Drawing on a variety of perspectives and cases from around the world, including the United States, courses equip students to think comparatively and critically about a wide range of human rights issues.

The minor consists of six courses/credits, including one introductory course, two core/specialized elective courses, two general electives, and an integrating exercise. Courses must be drawn from at least three different disciplines, and students must earn a minimum of C- in any given course to receive credit for the minor.

Course requirements:

  • Introductory course (1 credit)—HRST 125. Introduction to Human Rights (fall)
  • Core courses or specialized electives (2 credits)—The following core courses are offered each academic year:
    • PHIL 232. Europe as a Philosophical Idea (Spring) or PHIL 329. Decolonizing Philosophy (Fall) or PHIL 228. Animal Ethics (TBD) or another philosophy course approved by the director in consultation with the chair of the philosophy department.
    • POLS 369. International Human Rights Law (fall and spring)
  • Frequently taught specialized electives include:
    • HIST 256. Human Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean
    • HRST 312. Question of Justice & the Arts
    • HRST 314. Global Radicalism
    • HRST 316. Ecofeminism and Human Rights
    • HRST 323. Grounded Ways of Knowing
    • HRST 332. Understanding Civil Conflict and Its Causes and Consequences
    • HRST 348. New Beginnings: Justice Alternatives and the Arts
    • HRST 349. Global Migration/Refugee Lab
    • HRST 351. Human Rights Literature in Latin America
    • HRST 373. Human Rights through Performance: The Incarcerated
    • POLS 318. Statebuilding
  • General Electives (2 credits)—A list of approved electives is available from the human rights program website.
  • Integrating academic internship (1 credit)—The integrating exercise consists of a human rights internship, including an academic component. For detailed instructions, please contact the Human Rights Director, Benjamin Carbonetti.