law5hra human rights advocacy

HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY

LAW5HRA

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject has been designed to enable students to develop their communication and research skills in the context of human rights practice. Working closely with legal practitioners from the organization Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, students will engage in activities designed to promote awareness of international human rights standards in Australia, including Federal and State legislative compliance with the principles of international human rights law, and to support practitioners who assist victims of human rights violations in Australia. Working under the supervision of an academic coordinator, and with the assistance of the administrative coordinator, students will engage in legal research and produce position papers, blog entries, submissions, and other materials as required by ALHR. Practical skills such as written communication skills for specific contexts such as social media or government submissions, file management, and team work will be developed. The course involves one day a week in the ALHR clinic (Mondays, 9-4pm) and a fortnightly two hour seminar which will cover substantive topics of relevance to the work of ALHR.

SchoolLa Trobe Law School

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorEmma Henderson

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Admission to undergraduate courses belonging to progression group LAW and mush have passed Human Rights Law LAW3HRL or LAW3PIL.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditions It is expected that students will attend Orientation Day, and all seminars and clinical days. Absence for seminars or clinical days must be supported by medical certificate or similar.

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsPractical Legal SkillsPreliminaryRoss Hyams, Susan Campbell, Adrian Evans (2014)OUP
ReadingsThe International Law of Human RightsPrescribedMcBeth, Nolan and Rice (2011)OUP

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Understand in a comprehensive way, of a variety of core rules and principles of international human rights law.

Activities:
Participation, reflection exercises, portfolio
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

02. Clearly and concisely communicate the content of a variety of legal texts including international treaties and domestic statutes.

Activities:
Participation, reflection exercises, portfolio
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

03. Critically assess the policy considerations that inform and influence the development of international human rights law in a domestic context.

Activities:
Participation, reflection exercises, portfolio
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

04. Display appropriate written and oral skills, including the skill of producing clear and cogent written materials in a variety of different formats, such as Position Papers, Blog entries or Government submissions.

Activities:
Participation, reflection exercises, portfolio
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

05. Work both independently and as part of a team, with other students and staff, to meet client expectations.

Activities:
Participation, reflection exercises, portfolio
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentNo

Maximum enrolment size10

Enrolment information Clinic Subject Applications

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorEmma Henderson

Class requirements

SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
Six 2.0 hours seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
Twelve 1.0 days practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Participation and reflection exercises (max 1000 words)Includes attendance and active participation throughout semester, and several reflective exercises (1000 words max)2501, 02, 03, 04, 05
Portfolio (max 3500 words)Students will create a portfolio of work over the semester, and at the end of the subject choose pieces totalling between 3000 (min) - 3500 words (max), to put forward for assessment.7501, 02, 03, 04, 05