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Human Rights and Economic Globalisation (LAWS90044)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2024
Overview
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The relationship between human rights and economic globalisation has taken different forms since the establishment of the United Nations. The early period was animated by the codification of economic, social and cultural rights, and third generation solidarity rights, including peoples’ rights to permanent sovereignty over natural resources. From the 1980s onwards, economic globalisation and the normative, legal and institutional means by which it would be advanced became dominant globally, with the negative influences of international trade and investment shaping the development of human rights. In the recent period, human rights have been situated as a response to many of the concerns around economic globalisation. With a focus on social-economic rights, this course will engage with human rights under conditions of economic globalisation, from their normative and institutional beginnings to their recent application as bulwarks against current threats.
Principal topics include:
- The post-1945 United Nations Charter international order and its relationship to developments in economic globalisation
- International protection of economic, social and cultural rights (standards and mechanisms, including the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights)
- Third generation solidarity rights: right to development, permanent sovereignty over natural resources and economic self-determination, and their political and economic context
- Global capitalism and the shaping of rights.
Intended learning outcomes
A student who has successfully completed this subject will:
- Understand the approach, contribution and limits of the UN human rights machinery as well as regional human rights standards and mechanisms in addressing the harms of economic globalisation;
- Develop an understanding of how the content of socio-economic rights and obligations has been interpreted and applied under economic globalisation, eg: extraterritorial obligations, human rights impact assessment;
- Be able to assess and critically evaluate current developments, eg: responses to the financial crisis, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the 'business and human rights' agenda;
- Have a highly developed understanding of the key debates among various actors and international institutions that drive economic globalisation, including in the areas of international trade and investment;
- Be exposed to literature and critical reflection from a range of cognate disciplines, such as economics, international political economy, and development studies helping students to understand what dominant perspectives and values shape globalisation and with what implications for human well-being, redistribution and justice.
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Melbourne Law Masters Students: It is recommended, though not required, that students have an understanding of Public International Law and International Human Rights Law, including the UN human rights system.
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.
JD Students: We strongly recommend that JD students complete either of the below subjects before attempting this subject:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAWS50049 | Human Rights Law and Practice | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| LAWS50041 | Public International Law | July (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
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: 30 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assessment 1: Class participation based on engagement with class discussion and presentation of two readings | Throughout the teaching period | 20% |
Assessment 2, Option 1: Take-home examination
| 20 - 23 July | 80% |
Assessment 2, Option 2: Research paper on a topic approved by the subject coordinator
| 3 September | 80% |
| Hurdle requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Students must choose assessment from the options listed above. If an option contains parts, all parts must be completed if that option is chosen.
Last updated: 30 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
Not available in 2024
Additional delivery details
This subject has a quota of 30 students.
Enrolment is on a first come, first served basis. Waitlists are maintained for subjects that are fully subscribed.
Students should note priority of places in subjects will be given as follows:
- To currently enrolled Graduate Diploma and Masters students with a satisfactory record in their degree
- To other students enrolling on a single subject basis, eg Community Access Program (CAP) students, cross-institutional study and cross-faculty study.
Please refer to the Melbourne Law Masters website for further information about the management of subject quotas and waitlists.
Last updated: 30 January 2024
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
- 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.
- 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: 30 January 2024