Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 200635

Coordinator Robert Mezyk Opens in new window

Description This Unit examines the theory and practice of international human rights law through the framework of specific, current human rights issues. The Unit examines the moral and political justification for human rights; the foundations and historical development of key human rights instruments and institutions; the domestic, regional and global organisations that contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights; and challenges to realising human rights in different economic, cultural and religious contexts. Through a focus on contemporary issues and debates (which might include for example, the scope of the right to privacy; the effectiveness of measures to prevent genocide; the vulnerability of women and children in conflict situations) the Unit encourages a critical examination of the interconnectedness of rights and the way international human rights law is deployed to expand (or constrain) possibilities for social change and justice. The unit integrates the experience of the teachers as active human rights practitioners and academics in a range of institutions such as with National Human Rights Institutions, Human Rights NGOs, and United Nations bodies to interrogate the range of ways in which human rights can be used to advance the equality and dignity of humanity.

School Law

Discipline Business and Commercial Law

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 1003 OR
LAWS 1006

Restrictions

Students must have completed 80 credit points of study in Law subjects.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Conduct research into human rights issues, including location of reported cases, treaties, government and civil society reports and academic commentary;
2. Evaluate and apply knowledge of domestic and international human rights law to a range of practical situations;
3. Explain the interrelated nature of human rights challenges across a range of issue areas;
4. Communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing, critical judgements on the merits of a range of human rights arguments in legal and academic texts;
5. Develop arguments based in human rights analysis to support social change and justice.

Subject Content

1. Historical and philosophical foundations of human rights
2. Challenges to traditional conceptions of human rights
3. International human rights norms and institutions
4. Regional human rights systems
5. Human rights protection at the national level
6. The human rights treaty monitoring system
7. Case studies of human rights interventions on specific issues, which might include: asylum seekers; indigenous peoples; human trafficking; children?fs rights; rights of women; peace and security
8. Case studies of human rights interventions in specific countries, which might include Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Timor Leste, Myanmar, Russia