Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

The graduate program in human rights provides advanced offerings in this area for graduates in disciplines other than law. The extensive range of units enables students to develop and enhance their knowledge across the breadth of human rights law. The program is attractive for those who seek employment by human rights related organisations such as international human rights, non-government organisations (NGO's) and international development agencies.The graduate program focuses upon both a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of human rights law and its practical application as well as addressing advanced and current issues from both a local and international perspective.

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.

12 credit points

The course comprises eight 6-point coursework units or coursework units and a minor thesis.

Students must complete one of the following options:

• a minumum of five coursework units in the area of human rights. The remaining three coursework units may be taken from the approved list of law units. Refer to 'Areas of Study'.
• four coursework units with at least one unit in the area of human rights 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 and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic in the area.

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 coursework units undertaken. Information on the minor thesis option is available at http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/enrol/re-enrol.html

Additional course requirements and recommendation:

• Students with a degree in a discipline other than law will be required to complete the unit LAW7212 Australian legal system.
• Students with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction must complete the unit LAW7436 Introduction to Australian legal process.
• International students are recommended to undertake the unit LAW7285 Legal research and communications.

For further information regarding law units and specialisations visit

http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html

Students are advised that not all units may be available in every year.

For information on the current postgraduate law timetable visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/current-students/t-tables/index.html

Areas of Study

• Human rights

Law postgraduate elective units

• Law

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