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Unit of study_

LAWS3434: International Human Rights Law

2025 unit information

This unit of study introduces students to the principles and practice of international human rights law - a species of international law and policy and a field of ever-expanding dimensions. It will introduce students to key concepts, debates, documents and institutions in this field, while encouraging critical examination of these from a variety of angles. In summary, this unit considers the question: What happens when we regard a situation or predicament as one involving a breach of international human rights law What possibilities and problems does this entail Addressing these questions, we will look at: (a) particular fora where international human rights law is being produced (international tribunals, domestic courts, multilateral bodies - including United Nations organs - regional agencies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, and the media); (b) particular settings where international human rights law is being deployed (in Australia and elsewhere); and (c) particular identities/subjects that international human rights law aspires to shape, regulate or secure.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Law School

Study level Undergraduate
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
LAWS1018 or LAWS1023
Corequisites:
? 
None
Prohibitions:
? 
LAWS5134
Assumed knowledge:
? 
None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. formulate, articulate, and substantiate written and oral arguments using key international human rights law and principles, in relation to a range of scenarios and issues
  • LO2. develop and deploy an independent, strategic sense of the potential and pitfalls of international human rights law by reference to contemporary literature in this field
  • LO3. listen to, strive to comprehend, and respond constructively to legal and policy arguments formulated by others, including fellow students
  • LO4. explain and critique particular dimensions of international human rights law scholarship and practice by reference to contemporary literature in this field

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Semester 2 2022
Normal day Remote
Outline unavailable

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.