APG4809 - Advocacy for community rights - 2017

The unit enables students to develop a professional framework based on theories, conventions and instruments for protecting and promoting human rights, social justice and democratic citizenship rights. Students will identify the legal and ethical dimensions of community contexts, including the ramifications of government policies and commercial activities on communities. Knowledge of Australian legal and political systems, and skills in working effectively within them to protect and extend the rights of communities, will be developed. Students will apply their knowledge to creative and strategic use of advocacy, lobbying and management of campaigns to reverse unequal community power relations.

On successful completion of this unit, students will have:

1. Developed a professional theoretical framework based on international and national human rights, social justice and participative democracy.
2. Developed skills in applying national and international human and citizenship rights instruments and conventions for community advocacy campaigns.
3. Developed a sound understanding of Australian legal systems including legal and other instruments to protect human and citizenship rights (e.g. discrimination; tenancy; debt; refugees).
4. Acquired extensive knowledge of available institutional and material resources for ensuring justice and protection of community citizenship rights.
5. Incorporated ethical theory and a deep understanding of practitioners' legal and ethical obligations towards communities (citizens, residents and refugees).
6. Developed a sophisticated capacity for strategic thinking in identifying novel avenues and opportunities for advancing community rights.
7. Developed skills and knowledge in collaborating with legal professionals, politicians, bureaucrats and other public figures for effective community campaigns.
8. Developed a range of specific skills for successful community change: advocacy, lobbying, campaign management, use of mass media.
9. Acquired knowledge of international, national and local examples of cutting edge practice in extending community rights.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 288 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Olga Bursian

EDF6806, APG4807