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Curtin University
Courses Handbook 2014

This handbook contains information for courses and units at Curtin in 2014.
Information for the previous year's courses and units is available at Courses Handbook 2013.

313842 v.1 Graduate Certificate in Human Rights

GradCertHumRights(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 050729M
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 0.5 Years


Course Overview

Graduate certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.


This course is an entry pathway to the Master of Human Rights for those who do not have a relevant degree. It is for human rights workers, those who would hope to work in the human rights field, professionals who wish to apply human rights principles to their practice, development workers, non government organisation workers, activists, teachers, mediation and conflict workers, and community workers. It involves the study of the theory and philosophy of human rights across different cultural, religious, philosophical and political traditions, and how these ideas can be translated into practice in the contemporary world. This course is for those working both in Australia and internationally. It is multidisciplinary, and provides an opportunity for those from different cultural backgrounds, professions and disciplines to dialogue about human rights and develop their ideas and skills in human rights practice.


Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.



Course Entry and Completion Details

Applicants are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a bachelor degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning.


Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au.


Pathway to Further Study

Graduates may qualify for entry to some graduate diplomas and master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.



Course Organisation

Graduate certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.


Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. apply knowledge of the principles and concepts of human rights in work and community settings

2. critically analyse political, service, policy and moral issues using a human rights framework; think creatively to develop human rights based solutions to social and political problems

3. locate, critically evaluate and synthesise relevant evidence and human rights literature

4. communicate, both verbally and in writing, comprehensive analyses of complex human rights data or theories

5. use technologies to effectively collect information and communicate findings

6. demonstrate ability in self-directed learning

7. recognise the global nature of human rights issues and apply knowledge of practices learned

8. demonstrate a critical appreciation of diverse cultural aspects of human rights theory and practice

9. demonstrate ability to work ethically and independently on study and fieldwork projects, as well as work collaboratively with fellow students, staff and colleagues in the field


Duration and Availability

This fee paying course is one semester full-time or equivalent part-time study.


Location and delivery Mode


Year Location Period All* Internal Partially Online Internal^ External Fully Online#
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1   Y      
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 1       Y  
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2       Y  
2014 Bentley Campus Semester 2   Y      

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.




Course Structure Hrs/Wk Credit
  SELECT OPTIONAL UNITS TO THE TOTAL VALUE OF:   100.0
  100.0
Optional Units (No Year Level Specified) Hrs/Wk Credit
313844 v.1   Human Rights Theory and Philosophy 501 3.0 25.0
313845 v.1   Community Education and Consciousness Raising 503 3.0 25.0
313846 v.1   Human Rights and Development 507 2.0 25.0
313847 v.1   Human Rights History Across Cultures and Religions 502 3.0 25.0
313848 v.1   Human Rights Instruments and Institutions 506 3.0 25.0
313849 v.1   Human Rights Activism, Advocacy and Change 512 2.0 25.0
313852 v.1   Human Rights Issues 509 2.0 25.0
313853 v.1   Human Rights Issues 510 2.0 25.0



Further Information

For more information about the course, please contact the Faculty of Humanities on telephone (08) 9266 3400, email humanities@curtin.edu.au, or visit our website: http://humanities.curtin.edu.au


Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.




Handbook Disclaimer

The online handbook is the repository of Curtin University of Technology (“Curtin”) course information. While Curtin makes all reasonable endeavors to keep its online courses handbook up-to-date, information within this website is subject to change from time to time. Curtin reserves the right to change the contents and/or the method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw/any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program without notification via the website.

For course overviews and enrolment information please visit our future students website.