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Global Human Rights Law (LAWS20012)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will be delivered online in 2020 over the scheduled dates.
Global human rights law plays a complex role in society. Human rights often frame national and international discussions about justice and fairness. Formally inaugurated with the founding of the United Nations in 1945, the modern international human rights system comprises institutions, declarations, treaties, court cases and practices. It is fair to say that human rights law has been a source of great inspiration as well as profound disappointment. Its principles appear to promise a great deal, but it has been difficult to realise this potential. This subject aims to introduce students to the legal principles, institutions and legal questions at the heart of the global human rights system and to consider why the language of human rights remains powerful.
The subject will consider current issues in global human rights law including:
- The history and structure of the United Nations human rights system
- Debates about the universal applicability of international human rights norms
- Regional human rights systems
- Human rights and intersectionality
- Indigenous peoples and human rights
- Human rights in the age of COVID 19
- Human rights and disability
- The human rights of asylum seekers
- Human rights and personhood
- Australia’s implementation of international human rights standards
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed the subject should have:
- Obtained a general knowledge of the international human rights legal instruments and institutions
- Acquired an understanding of various theoretical approaches to human rights, including critiques of the idea of human rights law
- Developed a capacity to identify accountability for human rights in contemporary events
- Analysed and applied human rights law in a range of current contexts
- Developed advocacy skills through the application of human rights law to current social problems; and
- Understood both the potential and limits of global law and institutions in responding to human rights abuses.
Generic skills
- On completion of this subject, students should have developed skills in: • Reading inter-disciplinary material in preparation for class; • Analysing conceptual and practical human rights problems through a legal lens; • Using legal norms as the basis for advocacy; • Writing clearly for assignments; and • Verbal communication through group discussions in tutorials.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students who have previously studied Human Rights and Global Justice (UNIB20009) are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
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: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Weekly Participation in Discussion Boards | Throughout the semester | 10% |
Blog post or media article
| From Week 4 to Week 6 | 25% |
Research essay from a choice of six topics
| End of semester | 65% |
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Hilary Charlesworth Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours (one 1 hour lecture recording and one 45 minute online tutorial) Total time commitment 150 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 March 2024