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LAWS1010 – Introduction to Law and Social Justice

2024 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ben Hightower
Contact via iLearn
see iLearn
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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

All written assessments submitted electronically must be submitted through the link provided in iLearn. This unit will utilise Turnitin plagiarism detection software. Students should carefully check that they submit the correct file for an assessment, as re-submissions will not be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file in error.

The design, moderation and feedback of all assessments is in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Procedure (link provided under ‘Policies and Procedures’ below).

Late Submission Policy

A maximum penalty of five (5) percentage points of the total possible marks will be applied per day to late submissions, for up to a maximum of seven calendar days. Tasks that have not been submitted within the maximum number of additional late days will receive a mark of zero. This provision does not apply to online exams or other assessment with a time limit of less than 24 hours.

Penalties for late submission will be applied consistently and equitably to all students enrolled in the unit. Where short-term, serious and unavoidable circumstances have affected their ability to submit an assessment task, a student must submit a formal application for Special Consideration as per the Special Consideration Policy. Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor.

Where an application for Special Consideration is approved, and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes.

Special Consideration

Students should submit applications for Special Consideration electronically via ask.mq.edu.au, along with the supporting documentation. Before submitting their applications, students should refer to the Special Consideration Policy (link provided under ‘Policies and Procedures’ below).

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Class Participation 20% No Ongoing
Major Essay 40% No 18/10/2024, 23:55 (Wk 11)
Reflective Tasks 40% No Ongoing / Weekly + Final reflection 1/11/2024, 23:55 (Wk 13)

Class Participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

 

Students will be assessed on their contributions to tutorial discussions, debates and other activities.

 
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.

Major Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 18/10/2024, 23:55 (Wk 11)
Weighting: 40%

 

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.

Reflective Tasks

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Ongoing / Weekly + Final reflection 1/11/2024, 23:55 (Wk 13)
Weighting: 40%

 

A number of reflective writing tasks to assist students to consolidate their learning

 
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.
  • 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

Delivery

Lectures: Thursdays at 1pm. Live and Prerecorded.

Tutorials: Face-toFace and Online. Consult your timetable for times and location. Online tutorials are only for external students.

This unit is worth 10 credit points, which equates to 150 hours of work. Therefore, students should expect to commit an average of 10 hours per week to this unit, including all scheduled and unscheduled activities and preparing and executing the assessment tasks.

Resources

Readings will be accessible through iLearn/Leganto.

Students require access to a computer, internet with decent speed and a secure/reliable server. The iLearn page contains all Unit requirements and a weekly schedule for teaching, readings and tutorials. Information about all assessment tasks is also available on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

Week 1: Welcome and Introduction to Law and Social Justice

Week 2: Principles of Social Justice

Week 3: Human Rights and International Law

Week 4: Domestic Law and Free Speech

Week 5: Global Governance, Institutions and Actors

Week 6: Social Movements, Organizing and Activism

Week 7: Australia and Limits to the Right to Protest

Week 8: Sex, Gender Equality and Social Justice

Week 9: Refugees and Social Justice

Week 10: Self-Determination and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Week 11: Climate Change and Social Justice

Week 12: The Future of Law 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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook