HUSE3003
10 units
3000 level
Course handbook
Description
This course examines the value of human rights as instruments for achieving social justice. It recognises the contribution of, and critiques, human rights from a range of theoretical perspectives. It considers the ways in which human rights shape, and are shaped by, people and communities at global and local levels. The course engages with key debates and emerging challenges in human rights discourse and encourages students to critique their own worldviews. In this course students will explore the ways in which they might apply their emerging skills and knowledge to contribute to social justice at local and international levels via activism, advocacy, policymaking and practice.
Availability
Not currently offered.
This Course was last offered in Summer 2 - 2023.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Identify and communicate the theoretical foundations and challenges to the concepts of human rights and social justice.
2. Analyse the ways in which international human rights conventions impact national social policies, diverse global communities and individual lives.
3. Assess the extent to which particular examples of social policies are consistent with or violate principles of human rights.
4. Develop responses, informed by human rights principles, which work towards more socially just outcomes for users of human services.
Content
The course will include the following topics:
- Theoretical concepts: Rights and human rights; social justice; critiques and competing discourses; historical foundations; global and local perspectives.
- The scope of human rights conventions: Case studies on political rights, gender, disability, conflict, climate change and cultural relativism.
- Human rights and the human experience: The impacts of human rights on the lives of people and communities; moving from theory to experience; ‘humanising’ human rights.
- How international human rights conventions influence the legislation and systems we have in place in Australia.
- Human rights, activism and social change: Social justice activism; human service workers as advocates, policymakers and practitioners for social change
Requisite
If you have successfully completed SPSW2001 you cannot enrol in this course.
Assumed knowledge
40 units of study at 1000 level. It is advisable for students to undertake sufficient study in entry level SOCA and/or HUSE courses to develop a robust understanding of the social sciences before they undertake advanced courses.
Assessment items
Written Assignment: Short answer questions -
Project: Group role play and individual written reflection
Written Assignment: Essay
Course outline
Course outline not yet available.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.