LAW, RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
LST3LSJ
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject brings together a range of different approaches to critically understanding law, rights and social justice. The subject focuses on the ways in which both domestic and international laws can promote, hinder or violate fundamental freedoms and rights. The subject begins by examining the philosophy and practice of rights within domestic and international law, and then considers a range of different but interrelated issues, including: Indigenous rights and self determination; women in western and non-western worlds; reproductive rights; the rights of the child; poverty and homelessness; asylum seekers and refugees; counter-terrorism and torture; armed conflict, genocide and transitional justice; and environmental and animal rights.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorTarryn Phillips
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites 30 credit points of second year Crime, Justice and Legal Studies subject, and 30 credit points of any second year Humanities or Social Sciences subjects, or subject coordinator's approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects LST2LSJ
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Apply complex theories to examine "case studies", demonstrating an understanding of the problem of universalism, cultural relativism and human rights
- Activities:
- Lectures; tutorial readings, discussions & activities; essay; quizzes
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness (Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Writing (Writing)
- Creative Problem-solving (Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research (Inquiry/ Research)
02. Critically reflect on the definition, efficacy and scope of human rights law and practice, including discussing the concept of human rights, reflecting on the problems of both "conflicting rights" and human rights as "ideology", and using complex theories on rights from the literature
- Activities:
- Lectures; tutorial readings, discussions & activities; essay; quizzes
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing (Writing)
- Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research (Inquiry/ Research)
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness (Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
04. Illustrate an understanding of domestic and international human rights law and how they relate to each other
- Activities:
- Lectures; tutorial readings, discussions & activities; essay, mock submission; quizzes
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Life-Long Learning (Life-Long Learning)
- Writing (Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research (Inquiry/ Research)
05. Locate relevant Internet material on human rights and social justice matters, summarise this material and then identify problems and/or issues raised
- Activities:
- Mock submission
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research (Inquiry/ Research)
06. Write about the role of law in protecting human rights and preventing future human rights abuses, as well as the efficacy of law as a defender of human rights
- Activities:
- Lectures; tutorial readings, discussions & activities; essay
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Ethical & Cultural Awareness (Ethical & Cultural Awareness)
- Life-Long Learning (Life-Long Learning)
- Writing (Writing)
- Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking)
07. Write coherently on the gap between law in theory versus law in practice in relation to human rights and social justice, reflecting on both ideals and ideology
- Activities:
- Lectures; tutorial readings, discussions & activities; essay, mock submission
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Life-Long Learning (Life-Long Learning)
- Inquiry/ Research (Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing (Writing)
- Critical Thinking (Critical Thinking)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorTarryn Phillips
Class requirements
Lecture
Week:
31
-
43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
Tutorial
Week:
32
-
43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 32 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 3000 word essay | 60 | 01, 02, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| One 1000 word mock submission | 25 | 02, 04, 05, 06, 07 | |
| Eight weekly quizzes (equivalent to 700 words) | 15 | 01, 02, 04 |