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Unit of study_

LAWS6161: International Human Rights

This unit introduces students to the principles and practice of international human rights law - a field of public international law and policy of ever-expanding dimensions. It will introduce students to some key concepts, debates, documents and institutions in this field, while encouraging critical examination of these from a variety of angles. In summary, this unit considers the question: what happens when we regard a situation or predicament as one involving a breach of international human rights law - what possibilities and problems does this entail? Addressing this question, students in this unit will examine: (a) forums where international human rights law is being produced (international tribunals, domestic courts, multilateral bodies - including United Nations organs - regional agencies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, and the media); (b) settings where international human rights law is being deployed (in Australia and elsewhere); and (c) particular identities/subjects that international human rights law aspires to shape, regulate or secure. By the end of this unit, students should be able to formulate written and oral arguments by reference to key international human rights law instruments and principles; give strategic advice as to available avenues of recourse in international human rights law; and advance an informed critique of particular dimensions of international human rights law scholarship and practice, by reference to contemporary literature in this field.

Code LAWS6161
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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GOVT6117

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

  • LO1. formulate, articulate and substantiate written and oral arguments using key international human rights law and principles, in relation to a range of scenarios and issues
  • LO2. develop and deploy an independent sense of the potential promise and pitfalls of international human rights law by reference to contemporary literature in this field
  • LO3. strive to comprehend and respond constructively to legal and policy arguments
  • LO4. explain and critique particular dimensions of international human rights law scholarship and practice by reference to contemporary literature in this field
  • LO5. develop or enhance oral presentation and discussion skills through active participation in class