Students
LAWS1010 – Introduction to Law and Social Justice
2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Ben Hightower
Contact via contact via iLearn
By appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
In this unit we explore the relationship between law, human rights and social justice and consider the role of both state and non-state actors including the government, corporations, civil society organisations and social movements. We examine Australia's place in the international law system and discuss law, rights and institutions in relation to socio-political, economic, social and cultural issues including questions of free speech, gender, the rights of refugees, self-determination and Indigenous rights. Working both individually and in groups, we will evaluate key challenges for fostering social justice in society and the role played by the law. |
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: Define and describe Australia's role in the international law system.
- ULO2: Describe the historical development of human rights instruments, in the context of contemporary civil and political, social, economic and cultural rights.
- ULO3: Describe and critique the role of both state and non-state actors in fostering social justice within society.
- ULO4: Develop socio-legal analysis of key issues in human rights and social justice including Indigenous rights, self-determination, gender, free speech and refugee rights.
- ULO5: Assess established theoretical frameworks about current responses to human rights claims, and communicate law and/or policy critiques effectively in written and verbal form.
General Assessment Information
Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic honesty.
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments - e.g. quizzes, online tests.
All assessments are submitted electronically. Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments.
Students should carefully check that they submit the correct file for an assessment as no re-submissions will be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file in error.
Word limits are strictly applied. Work above the word limit will not be marked.
Detailed marking rubrics are used and assessments are moderated.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz | 20% | No | 22:00 20/08/2021; 22:00 10/09/2021 |
| Major Essay | 50% | No | 17:00 15/10/2021 |
| Participatory tasks | 30% | No | Ongoing; 17:00 05/11/2021 |
Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 22:00 20/08/2021; 22:00 10/09/2021
Weighting: 20%
Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the material canvassed in the unit by answering a series of multiple choice questions online.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and describe Australia's role in the international law system.
- Describe the historical development of human rights instruments, in the context of contemporary civil and political, social, economic and cultural rights.
Major Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 17:00 15/10/2021
Weighting: 50%
This task requires students to undertake independent research on an issue of law, human rights and social justice and complete a written essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Define and describe Australia's role in the international law system.
- Describe the historical development of human rights instruments, in the context of contemporary civil and political, social, economic and cultural rights.
- Describe and critique the role of both state and non-state actors in fostering social justice within society.
Participatory tasks
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Ongoing; 17:00 05/11/2021
Weighting: 30%
A series of participatory tasks scheduled throughout the semester to evaluate student progress and participation in the unit. These may include reflective tasks, reporting back from group discussions, participating in debates, presentations on assigned readings, and peer review and feedback.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe and critique the role of both state and non-state actors in fostering social justice within society.
- Develop socio-legal analysis of key issues in human rights and social justice including Indigenous rights, self-determination, gender, free speech and refugee rights.
- Assess established theoretical frameworks about current responses to human rights claims, and communicate law and/or policy critiques effectively in written and verbal form.
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
All lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and will be uploaded weekly. Lectures will be presented in combination with other learning resources including readings, web content, e-learning modules and videos. Students are expected to listen to the lectures and work their way through the other materials on a weekly basis.
One hour tutorials are scheduled weekly and will be delivered either face to face or online. Please check MQ timetables for the venue of tutorials.
There is no required text for this unit. Instead a selection of weekly required and recommended readings can be accessed via Leganto on iLearn.
Students require access to a computer and a secure and reliable server.
Unit Schedule
This unit will cover a series of topics including:
- Introduction to the unit
- Principles of social justice
- Introduction to human rights
- Introduction to law
- Research and writing at university
- Global governance, institutions and actors
- Social movements, organizing and activism
- Equality, non-discrimination and social justice
- Refugees and social justice
- Self-determination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People social justice
- Climate change and social justice
- Challenges for law, human rights and social justice
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 23/07/2021 | Dr Ben Hightower will be convening LAWS1010 in S2 2021. |
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook