POLIS 2096 - The Politics of Human Rights

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2017

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights embodies an ideal based on a `recognition of the `inherent dignity and of the equal and 'inalienable rights of all members of the human family'. That ideal emerges from the profoundly important mission of imagining and realising a global human dignity. It is an ideal which is couched in a language and an imagination of global goals and aspirations and a universal human family. But that language does not exist in a political vacuum. There are many ideological battlegrounds and contentious issues related to the issue of the universality of human rights. The course explores the hypothesis that human rights are not neutral but are inherently political in their origin, development and application. The course will examine this hypothesis by evaluating a range of case studies relating, but not restricted, to gender, children, Indigenous peoples, postcolonial struggles, and war. Broadly, the course examines human rights case studies with the aim of critically evaluating what constitutes an appropriate imagination for the aspirations of a universal human family.

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Course Details

Course Code	POLIS 2096
Course	The Politics of Human Rights
Coordinating Unit	Politics and International Relations
Term	Winter
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 12 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study
Assessment	2250 word equivalent conference presentation and participation (50%); 2250 word essay (50%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Martin Bailey

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights embodies an ideal based on a 'recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family'. That ideal emerges from the profoundly important mission of imagining and realising a global human dignity. It is an ideal which is couched in a language and an imagination of global goals and aspirations and a universal human family. But that language does not exist in a political vacuum. There are many ideological battlegrounds and contentious issues related to the issue of the universality of human rights. The course explores the hypothesis that human rights are not neutral but are inherently political in their origin, development and application. The course will examine this hypothesis by evaluating a range of case studies relating, but not restricted, to gender, children, Indigenous peoples, postcolonial struggles, and war. Broadly, the course examines human rights case studies with the aim of critically evaluating what constitutes an appropriate imagination for the aspirations of a universal human family.

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

Students undertaking this course are expected to develop a depth and breadth of understanding of important human rights principles as embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other foundational human rights sources, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Additionally, students will engage with the language of the human rights principles and documents such that they discover and explore critiques of dominant human rights discourses. Specifically, the anticipated knowledge, skills and attitude to be developed by students are:
1	An ability to differentiate between information and knowledge.
2	Showing familiarity with relevant terminology in human rights discourses.
3	An ability to define and research problems within discursive ethical, social, cultural and political boundaries.
4	An ability to identify and analyse case studies on pertinent aspects of human rights discourses.
5	The ability to undertake research in a self-directed manner yet also exchange ideas with peers in a collaborative manner.
6	The capacity to critically evaluate a diversity of written materials and multi-media resources.
7	A critical understanding of the contested nature of human rights discourses.
8	The ability to present persuasive and sustained written and verbal arguments based on scholarly research and other relevant sources.
9	The ability to develop and deliver clear and confident verbal presentations.
10	The ability to evaluate ideas confidently, respectfully and thoughtfully.

Assessment Summary

No information currently available.

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

No information currently available.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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