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Rethinking Rights and Global Development (GEND90007)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
August - Dual-Delivery
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Are human rights universal? Has increased attention to human rights since the 1990s resulted in a neglect of the material conditions of poverty as political and civil rights are prioritised over social and economic rights? Is it useful to think of women having specific rights distinct from those of other humans? Do all women share the same concerns? This subject explores these questions relating to human rights and women’s rights from postcolonial and intersectional feminist perspectives. We analyse how these debates play out in development practice, particularly in ‘rights-based approaches’ to development. We consider different histories of human rights in the activities of the United Nations, in anti-colonial struggles, and in post-colonial demands for a ‘right to development’. We focus particularly on women’s rights in the contexts of sexual and reproductive health, land rights, the right to education, and the rights of sex workers. We also consider the gendered dimensions of struggles for the recognition of the human rights of people of colour, Indigenous peoples, LGBT people and people with disabilities. Throughout this subject, students are encouraged to ask, ‘whose interests do human and women’s rights serve?’ This subject aims to equip students with skills to critically analyse the power relations that underpin human rights discourse and practice.

Intended learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • have an understanding of the main historical developments in thinking about issues of rights and human rights in the development process;
  • be able to understand the main theoretical approaches to the analysis of rights; and claims to rights in the developing world;
  • be able to understand the principal contemporary debates around rights and human rights;
  • be able to appreciate the significance of gender, race, ethnicity, class and colonialism in analysing issues of rights.

Generic skills

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
  • be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline;
  • have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

This subject is compulsory in the Master of Development Studies, Gender and Development specialisation, and Head of Program approval is required for enrolment by Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Students enrolling in this subject must have a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.

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: 24 January 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

An assignment on 'major concepts'

  • 2000 words
Mid semester40%

A research essay

  • 3000 words
During the examination period60%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject.Throughout the teaching periodN/A

Additional details

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Dates & times

  • August
    CoordinatorBina Fernandez
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours24 contact hours: A 3-hour seminar per week for 8 weeks.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period14 August 2023 to 9 October 2023
    Last self-enrol date25 August 2023
    Census date 1 September 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail 6 October 2023
    Assessment period ends30 October 2023

    August contact information

    bina.fernandez@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate 2 to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Further information

Last updated: 24 January 2023