Students
MHIS2001 – A History of Human Rights
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Clare Monagle
Katherine Jacka
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above OR (10cp in HIST or MHIS or POL or POIR or MHIX or POIX units)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide a historical account of changing ideas of human worth, dignity and progress. Drawing upon wide departmental expertise in the history of legal systems, social movements and political action, it will explore the history of human rights language in political modernity. At the same time, it will attempt a decolonised history of human rights discourse, revealing how and why the idea of human rights have been viewed with suspicion by some as an imperialistic language and program. This unit will aid students interested in careers in international law, foreign aid, global politics, humanitarian organisations in learning the terminology and historical narratives they will need to make sense of those types of work.
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Understand changing ideas of human rights over time and place.
- ULO2: Understand critiques of human rights from feminist and postcolonial perspectives.
- ULO3: Understand the appropriate legal and political structures within which human rights are articulated.
- ULO4: Demonstrate advanced critical writing skills in making sustained and evidence-based arguments about the past.
General Assessment Information
Late penalties will apply for assignments submitted after the due date. Students will lose 2 percent of their mark for the late assignment per day.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article analysis | 30% | No | Friday, Week 5 |
| Weekly quizzes | 20% | No | Week 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 |
| Research Essay | 50% | No | Week 13 |
Article analysis
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Friday, Week 5
Weighting: 30%
Students will locate a recent article (last 12 months) in the media about human rights somewhere in the world. They are then asked to offer a close readings of the article. They will need to identify and discuss the larger human-rights context and ideology behind the story. This assessment task helps students note their development in learning about human rights and prepare for the larger research essays to come in terms of critical analysis and writing. (1500 words).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand changing ideas of human rights over time and place.
- Understand critiques of human rights from feminist and postcolonial perspectives.
- Understand the appropriate legal and political structures within which human rights are articulated.
- Demonstrate advanced critical writing skills in making sustained and evidence-based arguments about the past.
Weekly quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 1 hours
Due: Week 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
Weighting: 20%
Each week students will be given an online quiz, based on the lecture and the readings. This task usually ensures adequate student preparation, kicks off good tute discussions, and enables us to identify any writing issues.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand changing ideas of human rights over time and place.
- Understand critiques of human rights from feminist and postcolonial perspectives.
- Understand the appropriate legal and political structures within which human rights are articulated.
- Demonstrate advanced critical writing skills in making sustained and evidence-based arguments about the past.
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 44 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
Students are expected to develop their own research essay question in consultation with teachers. Essays should include reference to at least four primary sources and ten secondary sources. The ‘further reading’ lists in the unit guide will be the best place to start research. The point of this task is to hone your research skills; hone your ability to make a sustained argument with evidence; and hone your ability to write persuasively. Refer to the history essay-writing guide on iLearn for information about argumentation and form. (3000 words).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand changing ideas of human rights over time and place.
- Understand critiques of human rights from feminist and postcolonial perspectives.
- Understand the appropriate legal and political structures within which human rights are articulated.
- Demonstrate advanced critical writing skills in making sustained and evidence-based arguments about the past.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Readings will be available through Leganto, accessible through the Ilearn page for the unit. Lectures will be available on ilearn. Tutorials will be conducted via forums and via zoom.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.