Students
LAWS8087 – International Human Rights Law
2024 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor and Lecturer
Amy Barrow
Contact via Contact via iLearn
Office 215, Michael Kirby Building, 17 Wally's Walk
See iLearn for details
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to LLM or (Admission to JD and LAWS600 or LAWS8001)
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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 addresses the fundamental and dynamic issue of the protection of human rights in international law. The unit traces the historical development of human rights law at national, regional and global levels. It considers theoretical frameworks for analysing the rights of individuals and groups and the duties of states to protect those rights. It considers the strengths and limitations of the institutions and mechanisms in place to protect and promote rights in practice. The unit includes consideration of the cross-cultural dimensions and other tensions inherent in this area, with a focus on contemporary challenges for international human rights law. Building on the foundations provided in the unit readings and discussion, students have the opportunity to explore a rights issue of particular personal interest. |
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: demonstrate, both orally and in writing, an understanding of the foundations and evolution of the international human rights law system — within the broader international law framework — and the resulting strengths and weaknesses of the system.
- ULO2: evaluate and compare, both orally and in writing, the mechanisms available for monitoring and enforcing human rights standards in different international and regional systems.
- ULO3: engage constructively with various critiques and theories of human rights — for example, whether rights are universal or particular — and be able to critically discuss, both orally and in writing, the significance of those approaches in the development, interpretation and operation of international human rights law.
- ULO4: demonstrate capacity for autonomous research by developing an individual research proposal and project that critically analyses a current issue or development from an international human rights law perspective.
General Assessment Information
Academic Honesty
Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic honesty.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Submission
All written assessments in the unit are to be submitted electronically by way of Turnitin on the iLearn page. Plagiarism detection software is used in this unit 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.
Format
All assessment tasks in this unit must be typed in Word format and be double spaced to facilitate marking in Turnitin.
Word Limits
Word limits are strictly applied. Work above the word limit will not be marked. Footnotes are to be used only for referencing. Referencing must conform to the requirements set out in the Australian Guide to Legal Citation.
Moderation
Detailed marking rubrics will be made available on iLearn.Assessments are moderated and all fail papers will be double marked.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation | 15% | No | Ongoing; Due Week 13 31/05/2024 |
| Research Essay Proposal | 15% | Yes | Week 4; Friday 15/03/2024 |
| Research Essay | 30% | No | Week 10; 06/05/2024 |
| Final Take Home Test | 40% | No | Exam period; 05/06/2024 |
Class participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing; Due Week 13 31/05/2024
Weighting: 15%
Participation in tutorial discussions, debates and/or presentations
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate, both orally and in writing, an understanding of the foundations and evolution of the international human rights law system — within the broader international law framework — and the resulting strengths and weaknesses of the system.
- evaluate and compare, both orally and in writing, the mechanisms available for monitoring and enforcing human rights standards in different international and regional systems.
- engage constructively with various critiques and theories of human rights — for example, whether rights are universal or particular — and be able to critically discuss, both orally and in writing, the significance of those approaches in the development, interpretation and operation of international human rights law.
Research Essay Proposal
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7.5 hours
Due: Week 4; Friday 15/03/2024
Weighting: 15%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students are required to develop and submit a research proposal for their research essay relating to a current issue or development arising under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The proposal must clearly set out the proposed research question and approach to the question.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate capacity for autonomous research by developing an individual research proposal and project that critically analyses a current issue or development from an international human rights law perspective.
Research Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20.00 hours
Due: Week 10; 06/05/2024
Weighting: 30%
Students are required to submit a research essay — based on their research essay proposal — that critically analyses a current issue or development arising under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights or the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights from an international human rights law perspective.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- engage constructively with various critiques and theories of human rights — for example, whether rights are universal or particular — and be able to critically discuss, both orally and in writing, the significance of those approaches in the development, interpretation and operation of international human rights law.
- demonstrate capacity for autonomous research by developing an individual research proposal and project that critically analyses a current issue or development from an international human rights law perspective.
Final Take Home Test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2.5 hours
Due: Exam period; 05/06/2024
Weighting: 40%
Students are required to complete a final take home test comprising short answer and essay questions. The questions and essay topics may be drawn from any part of the course, including the tutorial material. This is a timed assessment and no late submissions will be accepted.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate, both orally and in writing, an understanding of the foundations and evolution of the international human rights law system — within the broader international law framework — and the resulting strengths and weaknesses of the system.
- evaluate and compare, both orally and in writing, the mechanisms available for monitoring and enforcing human rights standards in different international and regional systems.
- engage constructively with various critiques and theories of human rights — for example, whether rights are universal or particular — and be able to critically discuss, both orally and in writing, the significance of those approaches in the development, interpretation and operation of international human rights law.
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
Technology used and required
To participate successfully in this unit, students will require access to the unit iLearn page. This will require access to secure and reliable computer facilities. Students taking the unit online are required to have access to computer facilities with a camera and microphone. Students will be required to upload all assessment tasks by way of Turnitin on the unit iLearn page.
Delivery
The unit will be delivered as a series of weekly two hour lectures running from Week 1 until Week 13, which will be recorded and uploaded to Echo360. It is important that you listen to the lectures every week for guidance on content and how best to approach the various assessment items.
Additionally, all students are expected to attend six two hour intensive tutorials delivered via Zoom between 7-9pm on the following dates:
- Tuesday 5th March
- Tuesday 19th March
- Tuesday 2nd April
- Tuesday 16th April
- Tuesday 14th May
- Tuesday 28th May
Further details about the schedule for the intensive tutorials will be available on iLearn.
Unit materials
You are required to have access to the prescribed texts for this unit, as there will be readings set from each text almost every week. The prescribed text is as follows:
• D Moeckli, S Shah and S Sivakumaran (eds), International Human Rights Law (Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2022).
Preparatory readings
In preparation for LAWS8087, you should read the following material from the prescribed textbook to refresh your understanding of basic international law sources and principles:
• Christine Chinkin, Chapter 4, 'Sources' in D Moeckli, S Shah and S Sivakumaran (eds), International Human Rights Law (Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2022).
Unit Schedule
A detailed weekly schedule will be provided on the unit iLearn page.
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
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution 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 connect.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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.03 of the Handbook