Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jonathan Symons
Contact via jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MIntRel or PGDipIntRel or PGCertIntRel or MIntCommMIntRel or MIntBusMIntRel or MIntRelMIntTrdeComLaw or MTransInterMIntRel or MAppAnth or PGDipAppAnth or MDevCult or PGDipDevCult or MA in (History or Modern History) or PGDipArts in Modern History or PGCertArts in Modern History or MIntPubDip or MGlobalHlthDevStud or GradDipIntRel or GradCertIntRel
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
It is impossible to comprehend or participate in contemporary international relations without an understanding of the politics of human rights. This unit explores the evolving system of international law, rules and principles that seek to promote human rights. Students will examine contemporary theories of 'human rights', the historical development of international human rights practice and its impacts within contemporary global politics. We will also examine the ways in which international human rights practice influences contemporary political controversies over issues such as refugees, sexual rights, torture and economic development.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Online Discussion Leadership | 20% | Various |
Online Quiz | 10% | Week 6 |
Research Essay | 40% | Week 8 |
Take Home Exam | 30% | Week 13 |
Due: Various
Weighting: 20%
This task is designed to develop and assess your written communication skills in informal settings, and your ability to lead and manage discussion. At the beginning of semester we will assign tutorial topics to presenters. Working with at least one other student (using online discussion tools to plan your presentation) you will lead online discussion for a week, using materials or activities to engage your audience. Remember, don't post an essay online and keep presentations short. The point of the exercise is to lead discussion: which means you need to prompt and encourage participation rather than dominate it. Any form of presentation is acceptable. You could conduct a debate, show some images, run a role play, conduct a quiz, show media etc. Your presentation should help others to gain greater understanding by analysing the week’s topic and linking it to current human rights issues. For example a presentation on the topic of ‘International Enforcement’ may consider the doctrine of “Responsibility to Protect” and perhaps link this to the current situation in Syria or the recent military action in Libya. .
Your group must email jonathan.symons@mq.edu.au (or your tutor) a 700 word paper by Friday 5 pm the week prior to your presenting week. This paper should outline the resources you have drawn on and explain how you have sought to engage the group and what you have sought to achieve in the class. It may contain some of the posts/materials that you intend to use to prompt class discussion.
You will be assessed on five criteria as a group:
· Preparation
· Organization
· Content
· Creativity
· Engagement
You will be assessed as a group and your group will receive a mark out of 20 for your presentation.
All students are expected to engage in each other's presentations. Failure to engage in a meaningful manner with at least 50% of presentations will lead to a a grade penalty being imposed.
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 10%
A mid-semester test comprising 10 multiple choice questions (worth 1 mark each and therefore 10% of the total assessment) covering material presented in the unit up to and including week 5. The test itself will be conducted at the end of week 6 and will cover material presented in the first 5 weeks. The test will be administered on-line. You will have access to the test from 9am Thursday Week 6 - 5pm Saturday. Once you open and start the test, however, you will have only a certain amount of time in which to finish it (e.g. 20 mins). You will need to revise all the material presented in the first 5 weeks of the course to answer the questions before you start the test. You won't be able to attempt to simply look answers up during the test.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 40%
Students are required to submit a research essay of no more than 2500 words in length.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
An end-of-semester take home exam will cover content drawn from the entire unit. The exam will consist of 4 questions and the maximum word length will be 2000 words.
Technologies Used
This unit has an online presence in in ilearn. Students will require access to reliable broadband and a computer.
Tutoring Staff
Dr Jonathan Symons
Texts
Textbook: Goodhart, Michael, ed. Human rights: politics and practice. Oxford University Press, 2013
All readings will either be drawn form the textbook or will be available electronically (via the library or via links from the unit's ilearn page).
Week 1
Introduction: Overview of International Human Rights Practice
Thursday 26 Feb 2015
Week 2
Twentieth Century History of International Human Rights
Thursday 5 March 2015
Week 3
Contemporary Theories of Human Rights
Thursday 12 March 2015
Week 4
Implementation: Socialisation, Persuasion & Civil Society
Thursday 19 March 2015
Week 5
International Enforcement
Thursday 26 March 2015
Week 6
Civil and Political Rights: Torture
Thursday 2 April 2015
Online Quiz: Thursday 2nd April- Saturday 4th April
MID SEMESTER BREAK: 3 April to 19 April 2015
Week 7
Social and Economic Rights: Development
Thursday 23 April 2015
Week 8
Individual to Group Rights: Self-Determination
Thursday 30 April 2015
Week 9
Refugees & Asylum Rights
Thursday 7 May 2015
Research Essay due 4 May 2015
Week 10
Genocide and Crimes against Humanity
Thursday 14 May 2015
Week 11
Sexual Rights
Thursday 21 May 2015
Week 12
Conclusions & the Future of Human Rights
Thursday 28 May 2015
Week 13
Final Examination Released on ilearn at 9 am Wednesday 3 June - due for submission 11 pm Thursday 4 June 2014.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
The Unit is being convened by Jonathan Symons for the second time in 2015. Topics and readings have been slightly reorganised in response to student feedback in 2014 (for example, there is now no lecture in the final week).