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Human Rights (POLS90038)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 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
Semester 2
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 examines the theory and practice of international human rights. It explores the historical origin of the idea of human rights culminating in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and critically examines the development of human rights regimes and practice at the international and regional levels. Key issues examined include the philosophical and political debates about the foundations and practice of human rights, including whether human rights have outgrown their western origins; the relationship between international human rights law and international and domestic politics; human rights advocacy and the role of NGOs; international responses to human rights abuses; and the challenge of human rights enforcement, including the role of international courts and tribunals. These issues will be explored through a range of case studies, such as the rights of refugees, protection against people trafficking, protection against torture, gender discrimination and the rights of ethnic minorities.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Develop a critical understanding of the historical evolution of international human rights;
- Develop a critical understanding of the key issues, challenges, actors, and institutions associated with human rights advocacy and protection, standard setting and enforcement;
- Develop a critical understanding of the key philosophical and political debates on human rights;
- Develop a sound knowledge of the human rights practice across a range of different issue areas;
- Develop a critical understanding of the possibilities and limits of international human rights.
Generic skills
On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
- Develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
- Communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively;
- Develop cross-cultural understanding.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission to the Master of International Relations
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at the Undergraduate Level
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
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 |
---|---|---|
A case study analysis
| During the teaching period | 40% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 60% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Carla Winston Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 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 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics) Informal specialisation 200 points Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics) - 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.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- 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: 3 November 2022