Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit is a general introduction to international human rights law. It is concerned with human rights standards as they exist in international law and the international mechanisms for enforcing these standards. The unit will consider a selection of specific human rights, limitations to human rights (e.g. derogation in time of emergency) and some major contemporary international human rights issues.

Objectives

Upon completion of this unit students should be able to

1. understand and analyse international human rights standards and evaluate mechanisms designed to enforce human rights at the international/regional level;
2. explain and critically discuss the content of various human rights, such content being identified, inter alia, by reference to the case law of the UN treaty monitoring committees and regional human rights courts;
3. understand and critically evaluate some of the philosophical bases of and problems with international human rights law in light of contemporary human rights issues

Assessment

Research paper (2500 words) 50% and examination (2 hour writing time plus 30 minutes reading and noting time: 50%) OR examination (3 hours writing time plus 30 minutes reading and noting time):100%

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Sarah Joseph

Contact hours

Three hours of lectures per week

Prerequisites

LAW1100 or LAW1101 and LAW1102 or LAW1104