3392 - Master of Human Rights Law

This course is particularly relevant for non-lawyers working in non-government organisations (NGOs), government, community groups and industry who are interested in how human rights law impacts upon their work, as well as those employed by human rights-related organisations such as international human rights NGOs and international development agencies.

This course seeks to provide students with in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the international human rights legal framework, the organisations that promote and protect it, and the mechanisms and processes by which it is enforced. Graduates will also develop high-level skills in interpreting and analysing primary and secondary human rights materials, including treaties, treaty body decisions, domestic jurisprudence and scholarly commentary, and will be able to present well-researched arguments in a clear, coherent and scholarly manner.

The course comprises eight six-point coursework units.

Candidates must complete five units* offered as part of the Master of Laws specialising in human rights law. The remaining three units may be taken from any units offered in the masters coursework program. Alternatively students can elect one of the following options:

• four coursework units** with at least one unit in the area of human rights law and a minor thesis of 25,000-30,000 words on an approved topic in the area.
• six coursework units** with at least three units in the area of human rights law and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic in the area.

The units in the specialisation will be those which are specified from time to time by the faculty board on the recommendation of the Postgraduate Studies Committee of the faculty. For further information regarding specialisations, visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html.

* Candidates with a degree in a discipline other than law will be required to complete the unit LAW7212 (Australian legal system). Candidates with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction must complete LAW7436 (Introduction to Australian legal process).

** In order to qualify to undertake one of the minor thesis options, a student must have achieved a minimum of 70 per cent in each of the units undertaken.

Postgraduate unit offerings

The faculty endeavours to offer a broad range of graduate units each year across many areas of specialisations and practice areas. The units published have been approved for the purpose of the coursework component in the postgraduate programs.

Units are offered on a rotational basis. Students should check the current timetable to determine which units are available each year. The faculty reserves the right not to offer in a particular year any of the published units if it appears there are insufficient enrolments or if there are other over-riding considerations. Enrolment quotas may have to be imposed in respect of the listed units.

For further information visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html.

Thesis requirement

Candidates are required to submit a completed thesis proposal form to the postgraduate studies office (forms are available from the office). Students are encouraged to discuss their proposal with members of academic staff. If required, the chair, Postgraduate Studies Committee, will assist in recommending an appropriate member of staff.

Candidates must complete the thesis at a standard comparable to legal writings found in a learned law journal. For information on the requirements which must be met with respect to the certification of theses prior to submission for examination, contact the postgraduate program coordinator.

Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Law (Human Rights) providing all requirements for that award have been met.

Master of Human Rights Law