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OnlineSession 1Session 1

Unit description

Examines the principles of human rights from international, Australian, comparative and theoretical perspectives. Discusses the international human rights regime, the method by which human rights are protected and the question of whether Australia should have its own Constitutional or legislative Bill of Rights. Will analyse the common theoretical critiques of human rights and will study some selected human rights issues.

Unit content

Part 1 – Introduction to the international human rights system
Topic 1 The international human rights legal system – an overview
Topic 2 The historical and philosophical foundation of human rights
Topic 3 A hierarchy of rights?
Topic 4 Critiques of human rights

Part 2 – Human rights in Australia
Topic 5 Express and implied constitutional rights and the role of the common law in Australia 
Topic 6 Specific legislative provisions for human rights protection in Australia 
Topic 7 Should Australia have a Charter of Rights?

Part 3 – Specific human rights issues
Topic 8 The right to privacy
Topic 9 The human rights of Indigenous Australians
Topic 10 The human rights of asylum seekers

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1recognise the main features of the international human rights legal regimeKnowledge of a discipline
2appraise the express and implied constitutional protection of human rights in Australia, and assess the other forms of protection of human rights in the Australian legal and political systemKnowledge of a discipline
3identify and analyse the arguments for and against whether Australia should have a constitutional or a legislative Bill of RightsIntellectual rigour
4describe and critically assess the common criticisms of human rights by critical legal advocates, feminists and othersKnowledge of a discipline
5give an account of and discuss various topical human rights issues. Knowledge of a disciplineCommunication and social skills
6demonstrate their skills in legal research, critical analysis and the written presentation of research and argument.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a disciplineCommunication and social skills

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. recognise the main features of the international human rights legal regime
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. appraise the express and implied constitutional protection of human rights in Australia, and assess the other forms of protection of human rights in the Australian legal and political system
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. identify and analyse the arguments for and against whether Australia should have a constitutional or a legislative Bill of Rights
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
  4. describe and critically assess the common criticisms of human rights by critical legal advocates, feminists and others
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. give an account of and discuss various topical human rights issues.
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA6: Communication and social skills
  6. demonstrate their skills in legal research, critical analysis and the written presentation of research and argument.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
    • GA6: Communication and social skills

Prescribed texts

  • Gerber, P & Castan, M (eds), 2012, Contemporary Perspectives on Human Rights Law in Australia, Thomson Reuters. ISBN: 9780455229973.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Workshop online 2 hours (weekly)
Assessment
Short written response30%
Essay70%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2020 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 1

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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