308171 (v.1) Human Rights Instruments and Institutions 506

Area:

Faculty of Education, Language Studies and Social Work

Credits:

25.0

Contact Hours:

3.0

Seminar:

1 x 3 Hours Weekly

Syllabus:

Human rights treaties, conventions and declarations. The role of the UN, international law, and national law in defining, protecting and upholding human rights. Recognition of Indigenous rights, racial and ethnic minorities, women's rights and rights of other groups. The investigation of human rights abuses. Tribunals, and truth commissions. The role of Non Government Organisations (NGO's) such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Unit Outcomes:

Students will achieve a basic understanding of a range of human rights instruments, and of how they are legally embedded in national and international law. They will also have an understanding of the various processes involved in human rights investigation, and an understanding of the role of Non Government Organisations (NGOs).

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

Bouchet-Saulnier, (2002); The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law, New York, Rowman and Littlefield. Henkin, A. (2000), Honoring Human Rights, Kluwer. Steiner, H.J. and Alston, P. (2000), International Human Rights in Context, Oxford, Oxford University Press. Symondies, J. (2000), Human Rights Concepts and Standards, UNESCO.

Unit Texts:

No prescribed texts.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Essay 80%, Presentation 20%. This is by grade/mark assessment.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 2	Y	Y