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Unit outline_

LAWS3478: Development, Law and Human Rights

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides an introduction and critical overview of the law, policy and practice of the global development economy as it intersects with human rights, with a particular focus on the funding, administration and reform of international aid, the growing significance of private sector-led development, and the over-arching importance of governance and the rule of law. The drive toward sustainable development has grown substantially over the past 20 years and is now a billion-dollar global enterprise, yet the precise nature of its relevance for human rights remains a matter of intense debate and its efficacy in protecting human rights is patchy. This unit of study analyses the global development reform experiences over the past half-century and interrogates the nature and justification(s) of human rights-based approaches to economic development through global trade, finance and the private sector, paying particular attention to the role of domestic and international legal regulation on the policy and practice of development. The unit of study comprises both theoretical approaches and practice-based teaching covering case-studies from across the globe.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
LAWS5178
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator David Kinley, david.kinley@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Class Participation
Participation in class discussion & individual presentation in final week
10% Ongoing Throughout semester & final week project
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Short Release Assignment
Mini-essays (x2)
30% Week 07
Due date: 08 Apr 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 14 Apr 2022
1600w total; 8 days, release 1 April
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Essay
Essay
60% Week 13
Due date: 29 May 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 06 Jun 2022
3000 words; topic released 13 May
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

Assessment summary

Class Participation (10%)

Class participation involves ongoing assessment of students’ contributions to class discussions and breakout sessions, as well as individual presentations in the final week.

Short-Release Assigment (30%)

The 1600 word (total) short release assignment involves addressing two set questions which will be released on 1 April and must be submitted by 8 April at 11pm.  The outcome of a special consideration application will be an extension of time.

Essay (60%)

The 3000 word essay involves addressing a set topic/question which will be released on 13 May and must be submitted by 29 May at 11pm.  The otucome of a special consideration application will be an extension of time.

Assessment requirement to pass a unit of study 

A student must make a genuine attempt at all three components/assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis.
  • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required).
  • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed.
  • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues.
  • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument.
  • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument.
  • Generally well expressed and free from errors.
  • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.

Credit

65 - 74

  • Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question.
  • Contains no significant errors.
  • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues.
  • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues.
  • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.

Pass

50 - 64

  • Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument.
  • Contains some significant errors.
  • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues.
  • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question.
  • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase.
  • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis.
  • Adequate expression.
  • Demonstrates the minimum level of competence and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies.

Fail

0 - 49

  • Does not answer the question.
  • Contains significant or numerous errors.
  • Few or no identifiable arguments.
  • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant.
  • Lack of research or analysis.
  • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure.
  • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a written assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof. Any written assessment that exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for that assessment task for every 100 words, or part thereof, over the limit.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 The global economy and human rights Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Global finance, development and human rights Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Public sector development and human rights Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Private sector development and human right Seminar (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Private sector development and human rights Seminar (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 International Institutions and Initiatives Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Development and Law and Justice Reform Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Trade, development and human rights Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 The importance of governance for the fulfilment of development and human rights goals Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Review and reflection: future prospects for the relationships between development, law and human rights Seminar (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment, and being discontinued from the unit of study, resulting in an Absent Fail or Discontinue - Fail grade. 
  • Referencing: The assessment cover sheet requires you to declare that the work of others has been fully acknowledged by way of reference, including where appropriate, quotation marks. Use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer.
  • Assignment submission: Students are required to submit their assignment in electronic form via Canvas by the submission deadline. Failure to submit by specified deadlines may result in penalties for lateness.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no set texts for the unit. However, most topics include required readings that draw on two books in particular, both of which are available online through the USyd Library:

 

 

As a matter of fact, both books are products of this very unit and more generally my teaching of global economy and human rights-related courses in various formats over the past 21 years. In effect, therefore, the two texts are representations both of the development of my teaching in this and other units over time and the collective contributions of the students who have gone before you. 

 

In addition, there are other specified readings (both ‘Essential’ and ‘Further’) noted under the Topic descriptions below. All readings will be accessible either through Canvas eReserve or directly through hyperlinked URLs, or both. 

TO BE PROVIDED.

 

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Formulate, articulate and substantiate written and oral arguments using key features of the interaction between development and human rights laws and principles, in relation to a range of scenarios and issues.
  • LO2. Develop and deploy an independent, strategic sense of the potential and pitfalls of how human rights laws and principles intersect with the machinations of the global economy generally and its impact on development specifically, by reference to contemporary literature, policies and practices in this field.
  • LO3. Listen to, comprehend and respond constructively to legal and policy arguments formulated by others, including fellow students and to be able, accordingly, to communicate effectively your considered opinions and views.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Minor changes to the assessment regime of this unit have been made since it was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.