Handbook home
Trade, Human Rights and Development (LAWS70122)
Graduate coursework level 7Points: 12.5Not available in 2017
Overview
Fees | Look up fees |
---|
Both trade and human rights are today understood as key elements of successful development policy. However, both the historical and conceptual foundations of this apparent convergence demand careful investigation. While mainstream economic thinking presumes that trade is beneficial for poor countries, critics have pointed out the terms of trade have long been weighted in favour of western, developed States. Similarly, while the emerging consensus that adherence to global human rights norms is necessary for the achievement of good development outcomes, in the past the goals of development and of human rights were often understood as at odds with one another. Utilising historical, discursive, and case study-based methodologies, this subject will provide students with an opportunity to critically examine the convergence of trade and human rights with contemporary development policy and practice.
Principal topics include:
- Introduction to the contested meanings of human rights, trade and development
- The historical evolution of the debate concerning the links between human rights and development, including the debate on the right to development
- Rights-based approaches to development, including one or more case studies
- The links between trade and development and trade and human rights, examined through case studies
- An examination of the new turn towards human rights and law by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- The debate over global versus local labour standards and the dilemmas over monitoring
- The ethics, policy and law of the outsourcing debate and their links to human rights and development.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Understand the historical links between human rights, trade and development and their contested meanings
- Have a good knowledge of the doctrinal debates about rights to development and the legal barriers in the institutionalisation of rights in the development process, as well as the place of law in the development process
- Understand the practices of international economic institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization, and the positions they have taken with respect to development and ‘rights-based’ development
- Be aware of the dilemmas of introducing human rights in international trade negotiations and dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as the complexities of the labour standards debate
- Be familiar with the experience of rights-based development in the domestic legal systems of selected countries, including the constitutionalisation of social and economic rights
- Develop a critical perspective on the broad set of issues that lie at the intersection of human rights, trade and development, and be able to engage in related legal and policy matters.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Melbourne Law Masters Students: None
JD Students: Successful completion of all the below subjects:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
LAWS50024 | Principles of Public Law | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
LAWS50041 | Public International Law | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Applicants without legal qualifications should note that subjects are offered in the discipline of law at an advanced graduate level. While every effort will be made to meet the needs of students trained in other fields, concessions will not be made in the general level of instruction or assessment. Most subjects assume the knowledge usually acquired in a degree in law (LLB, JD or equivalent). Applicants should note that admission to some subjects in the Melbourne Law Masters will be dependent upon the individual applicant’s educational background and professional experience.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Class participation (10%)
- Group exercise (10%)
- 8,000 word research paper (80%) on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
A minimum of 75% attendance is a hurdle requirement.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2017
Time commitment details
136-150 hours The pre-teaching period commences four weeks before the subject commencement date. From this time, students are expected to access and review the Reading Guide that will be available from the LMS subject page and the subject materials provided by the subject coordinator, which will be available from Melbourne Law School. Refer to the Reading Guide for confirmation of which resources need to be read and what other preparation is required before the teaching period commences.
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students. Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Specialist printed materials will be made available free of charge from the Melbourne Law School prior to the pre-teaching period.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
law.unimelb.edu.au
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
If required, please contact law-admissions@unimelb.edu.au for subject coordinator approval.
Last updated: 3 November 2022