This course provides an understanding of human rights practice, while also grounding that practice in social theory. Focusing largely on groups --ethnic, minority, and indigenous—students analyze and discuss timely and critical, political, ethical, and methodological problems. Several case studies, and general methodological caveats, draw from the instructor’s international practitioner experiences and other opportunities for direct observations. The course demonstrates that human rights practice requires working within the formal structures of international law while also encouraging students’ creative use of social science theory and methods to contextualize and expand the interpretation and application of laws and norms. Students are also provided with opportunities to approach human rights work directly and/or to observe organizations that do so.