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Rethinking Rights and Global Development (GEND90007)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
March
Overview
Availability | March |
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Fees | Look up fees |
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 should:
- 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 should:
- 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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
An assignment on 'major concepts'
| Mid semester | 40% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 60% |
Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. There is an expectation that students attend lectures where offered. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- March
Coordinator Bina Fernandez Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 3-hour seminar per week for eight weeks from the teaching start date. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2024 to 3 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2024 Census date 22 March 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 April 2024 Assessment period ends 17 May 2024 March contact information
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).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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 Course Master of Public Administration (Enhanced) Informal specialisation 200 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics) Informal specialisation 150 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Informal specialisation 200 points Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics) Major Development Major Development Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Specialisation (formal) Development Studies Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Specialisation (formal) Anthropology Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Specialisation (formal) Development Studies - Links to additional 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: 31 January 2024