LAW5417 - Children's rights in international law - 2018

Securing the rights of children remains a challenge in the 21st century. Children continue to be exploited and abused on a regular basis and the use of child labour and child soldiers continues. In addition, violence against children and the mistreatment of child refugees is a concern in many countries. This unit provides an in-depth analysis of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implementation around the world. It includes consideration of the historical development of children's rights; the various mechanisms in place in different countries for the implementation of the international norms pertaining to children's rights; the strengths and weaknesses of the UN processes for protecting children's rights, including the state reporting system; policy arguments for and against reform of the international system surrounding children's rights; and specific challenges to the full realisation of children's rights, including economic pressures, political will (or lack thereof) and social and cultural factors.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of, and understanding of developments in relation to children's rights within the context of international human rights law with creativity and initiative for further learning;
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and policies in relation to in relation to children's rights within the context of international human rights law;
• Conduct research in in relation to children's rights within the context of international human rights law based on knowledge of appropriate research principles and methods; and
• Use cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate at an abstract level complex ideas and concepts relevant to children's rights within the context of international human rights law.

One research assignment (6,000 words): 80%

Class participation: 10%

Poster presentation: 10%

Students enrolled in this unit will be provided with 24 contact hours of seminars per semester whether intensive, semi-intensive, or semester-long offering. Students will be expected to do reading set for class, and to undertake additional research and reading applicable to a 6 credit point unit.