pol2dda politics of international human rights

THE POLITICS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

POL2DDA

2019

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject poses questions about the origins, the evolution, and the nature of the emerging global human rights order. Are human rights the product of a peculiarly European heritage? What was the relationship between French revolutionary declarations of rights and the ensuing terror? How has the language of rights been used by socialists, feminists, imperialists, anti-slavery campaigners and national liberation movements? How have notions of human rights been influenced by the legacy of the holocaust, the Cold War,decolonisation, the sexual revolution, the war on terror, and the rise of authoritarian great powers? Within a historical framework, the subject examines the interplay of ideas, civic activism, politics, and diplomacy. In the process, students will have an opportunity to evaluate the ideas of proponents and critics of universal rights, the different ways that states have responded to human rights, and the new pessimism that surrounds the prospects of human rights.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorRobert Horvath

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites 15 credit points of any first year Politics or History subject, or subject coordinator's approval

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Construct a logical, well-structured argument that addresses a contested issue

Activities:
Argumentative research essay; Take-home exam essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
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(Study and Learning Skills)

02. Undertake original research using newspaper databases to assemble evidence in support of an argument

Activities:
Argumentative research essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
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(Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Undertake secondary source research to establish the scholarly context and the lines of debate surrounding an important issue

Activities:
argumentative research essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
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(Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

04. Demonstrate an understanding of how human rights has evolved and how it remains a focus of contention in different cultures and political systems

Activities:
Take-home exam essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Cultural Literacy)
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)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorRobert Horvath

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Short written tutorial comments and questions (equivalent to 500 words)One short critical response or comment on the lecture and two comments related to the reading. This is to be submitted in at least 6 out 12 tutorials and serve as the basis for the students contribution to class discussion. The written versions will be serve as the basis for evaluation.1503
one 2,000 word argumentative research essay 5001, 02, 03
one 1,500 word take-home examIn format this will resemble the structure of the argumentative research essay, and students will have the opportunity to employ recommendations given by the examiner for the earlier exercise3501, 04