Outline

Overview

This unit introduces students to the principles and practice of international human rights law - a field of public international law and policy of ever-expanding dimensions. It will introduce students to some 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 this question, students in this unit will examine: (a) forums 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) 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. By the end of this unit, students should be able to formulate written and oral arguments by reference to key international human rights law instruments and principles; give strategic advice as to available avenues of recourse in international human rights law; and advance an informed critique of particular dimensions of international human rights law scholarship and practice, by reference to contemporary literature in this field.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GOVT6117
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jacqueline Mowbray, jacqueline.mowbray@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jacqueline Mowbray, jacqueline.mowbray@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Participation	Class participation (Pass/Fail) Participation	0%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment Assignment (30%)	0%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Sep 2021 at 16:00	2000 words / 26 days
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Abstract and reading list Abstract and reading list for essay/capstone essay	0%	Week 08 Due date: 04 Oct 2021 at 16:00	2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay (6000 words) Essay (70%)	0%	Week 13 Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 16:00	6000 words / 40 days
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Capstone Essay (8000 words) Capstone Essay (100%)	0%	Week 13 Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 16:00	8000 words / 40 days
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Class participation: Each week a particular student (or students) will be assigned to have done the readings especially carefully and be prepared to answer questions about the readings, and lead discussion, in class. Students will be assessed on their performance in their allocated week, on a pass/fail basis. This task is designed to develop your critical reasoning and oral presentation skills (see learning outcomes 3 and 5).

2,000 word critical evaluation of a text selected from the prescribed materials (30%): You are required to select one article or book extract from the readings listed in the Reading Guide and write a 2,000 word commentary on that text, in which you demonstrate critical engagement with the arguments made and/or the position articulated in the selected text. This assessment task is designed to develop your comprehension of, and ability to present insightful, independent commentary on one of the texts read for this unit of study (see learning outcomes 1, 3 and 4). The assignment is due by 4pm, Monday 6 September 2021.

Abstract and reading list: To assist you in preparing for your essay or capstone essay (see below) you are required to submit a draft abstract and preliminary reading list for your essay by 4pm, Monday 4 October 2021. The abstract should be approximately 200 words and the reading list should be about one page. This task is designed to assist you with preparation for your esssay/capstone essay, which is designed to develop your ability to formulate, and conduct independent research into, a question of potential significance for international human rights law and to present the arguments developed in light of that research in written form (see learning outcomes 1 - 4).

6,000 word research essay (70%): You are encouraged to choose and develop your own topic for the essay, to enable you to pursue your own specific interests. However, possible essay questions will be distributed in class in week 1, and will be posted on Canvas. If you are proposing your own topic, please contact the unit coordinator with a draft title and abstract before proceeding. All students will need to provide a draft abstract and preliminary reading list to the unit coordinator by Monday, 4 October 2021, for feedback and preliminary advice. The final essay is to be submitted by 4 pm, Friday 12 November 2021. This assessment task is designed to develop your ability to formulate, and conduct independent research into, a question of potential significance for international human rights law and to present the arguments developed in light of that research in written form (see learning outcomes 1 - 4).

Optional Capstone Essay - 8,000 word research essay (100%): LLM students who are undertaking this unit towards the end of their degree, and need a capstone experience to complete their degree, may wish to apply to the unit coordinator to undertake the assessment option of a capstone essay. The same conditions apply as described in the essay description above with the exception of the word count being extended to 8,000 words in length and the weighting will be 100% for the whole unit.

Assessment requirement to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	• Completely answers the question. • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	• Completely answers the question. • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. • Generally well expressed and free from errors. • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. • Contains no significant errors • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. • Contains some significant errors. • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. • Adequate expression. • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	• Does not answer the question. • Contains significant or numerous errors. • Few or no identifiable arguments. • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. • Lack of research or analysis. • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per calendar day or part thereof.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Histories of human rights	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	International human rights instruments	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	International human rights instruments 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Global international human rights institutions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Regional human rights systems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	International human rights law in Australia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Case study 1: international human rights and development	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Case study 2: international human rights and gender	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Case study 3: international human rights, culture and Indigenous peoples	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Case study 4: international human rights and terrorism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Case study 5: international human rights and technology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	The role of the international human rights lawyer/academic	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study. Attendance requirements may be satisfied by online attendance as specified by the Unit Coordinator. Failure to meet this requirement may result in a student being precluded from sitting the final assessment.

Word count penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude bibliography; footnote numbers; footnote citation; cover page and include body text; headings and sub-headings; quotations; anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes.

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/c.php?g=508212&p=3476376

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The readings will be available in a Reading Guide that will be posted on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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 sense of the potential promise and pitfalls of international human rights law by reference to contemporary literature in this field
LO3. Strive to comprehend and respond constructively to legal and policy arguments
LO4. Explain and critique particular dimensions of international human rights law scholarship and practice by reference to contemporary literature in this field
LO5. Develop or enhance oral presentation and discussion skills through active participation in class

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since the unit was last offered.

Additional information

Resources - Sydney Law Students

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

LAWS6161: International Human Rights

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal evening] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect