Not available in 2014
This course is designed to expose students to the laws which deal with the protection of individuals and groups against violations by governments of certain internationally guaranteed human rights. There will be advanced consideration of the complex theoretical, political and socio-economic issues associated with human rights discourse, the structures and processes through which international human rights norms are established and transformed into rights, the relationship of international human rights norms to domestic legal systems, and the specific techniques for the implementation of human rights on the domestic and international sphere. There will also be consideration of contemporary issues in human rights, such as national security, terrorism and limitation on rights, the role of non-state actors (i.e. transnational corporations and non-governmental organisations) and the international human rights principles in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.
| Objectives | On successful completion of this course students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the complex theoretical, political and socio-economic issues associated with human rights discourse. 2. Critically evaluate the structures and processes through which international human rights norms are established and transformed into rights. 3. Demonstrate advanced understanding of categories of rights. 4. Critically evaluate the major criticisms of human rights. 5. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the specific techniques for the implementation of human rights on the domestic and international plane. 6. Demonstrate advanced understanding of the relationship of international human rights norms to the Australian legal system. 7. Critically evaluate the doctrine of humanitarian intervention. 8. Demonstrate advanced understanding of contemporary issues in international human rights. 9. Demonstrate advanced development in the skills of legal research, oral and written communication, critical analysis of primary and secondary legal materials in the preparation of oral and written arguments. |
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| Content | The topics in this course include the following: 1. The International Human Rights Movement 2. History, Philosophy and Critiques of Human Rights 3. The United Nations and the International Bill of Human Rights 4. Categories of Rights—Civil/political and economic, social and cultural rights 5. Universalism and Cultural Relativism 6. Relevant Human Rights Treaties and UN Treaty Bodies 7. UN Investigation of Human Rights Abuses 8. Domestic Implementation of Human Rights in Australia 9. Enforcement Mechanisms and Humanitarian Intervention 10. Terrorism, national security and limitation on rights 11. The role of non-state actors and non-governmental organizations 12. The rights of women and the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against Women (‘CEDAW’) 13. Self Determination and Indigenous Peoples 14. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity |
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| Replacing Course(s) | NA | ||||||
| Transition | NA | ||||||
| Industrial Experience | 0 | ||||||
| Assumed Knowledge | LAWS6001, LAWS6002A, LAWS6002B, LAWS6003A, LAWS6003B, LAWS6004A, LAWS6004B, LAWS6005. | ||||||
| Modes of Delivery | Internal Mode | ||||||
| Teaching Methods | Seminar | ||||||
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| Contact Hours | Seminar: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term | ||||||
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