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Course Outline

JST202 International Justice and Human Rights

Course Coordinator:Shannon Brincat (sbrincat@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

International Justice and Human Rights examines the nature of human rights and the enshrining of those rights in law, both domestically and internationally. You will be introduced to the sources of human rights in Australia and examine those derived from the Commonwealth Constitution, enunciated in case law and articulated in international declarations and covenants. A number of selected topics provide scope for detailed investigation and raise issues associated with anti-discrimination legislation; those of migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in a contemporary context and Australia's counter terrorism laws.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Learning Materials (asynchronous); and 1hr Week 1 10 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 2-hour tutorials (synchronous) 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Three hour assessment workshop 3hrs Week 12 Once Only
Online
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online tutorial 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Learning materials – Learning Materials (asynchronous) 1hr Week 1 10 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Assessment workshop 3hrs Week 12 Once Only

Course Topics

Justice and Human Rights; History of struggles for rights; Australian human rights; international law and treaties; Human Rights Law; Laws of War; International Humanitarian Law; International Criminal Law; Laws of the Sea

Mature Content

Violence, Adult themes

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Contribute and engage in course content discussions with lecturer and peers during the seminars. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
Engaged
Communication
Information literacy
2 Discuss, explain and describe international justice, human rights, theory and practice including actors, institutions, processes, key events. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
Communication
3 Demonstrate research, critical analysis skills, and argument development in essay papers, in preparation and participation of the seminar. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Engaged
Communication
Problem solving
Information literacy
4 Apply scholarly writing, research and reference practice in the field of International Justice and Human Rights. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Communication
Problem solving
Information literacy

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Any 2 courses or enrolled in Program AR505 or AR605

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

The course includes an early assessment (not a Substantial Assessment Task) that provides formative feedback on academic progress that focuses on development of the essay. Students will submit an essay plan in week 4 that will be peer reviewed in the seminar and/or by the lecturer.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Portfolio Individual 20% 
Topics 1-10
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) To Supervisor
All 2 Essay Individual 40% 
1750 words
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Oral and Written Piece Individual 40% 
1000 word Report (20 marks); plus 1 minute speech and active participation throughout simulation (20 marks).
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All - Assessment Task 1:Portfolio and Participation
Goal: 
You will read the weekly readings, take note and/or answer tutorial questions of 200 words approx and submit via email BEFORE the seminar/tutorial.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Students will complete all required readings and summarise these and/or answer any tutorial questions and submit, via email, BEFORE each seminar/tutorial.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Written component: Accuracy in answering set questions; use of grammar and script in composition-style writing; translation skills.
 1 2
2 
Demonstrated capacity to analyse readings and arguments for the topic.
 1 2
3 
Contributed to class and group discussions with relevant and informed comments.
 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Essay
Goal: 
To undertake research and write an essay that explores a topic regarding international justice and human rights.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The 1750 word essay is written as a formal academic essay with appropriate acknowledgement of research sources presented with references. You will answer one question from the topics provided on Canvas. Particular attention will be focused on the inclusion of empirical data to support points and arguments made, integration of arguments with politics, practices, and theory of international human rights, and, on critical analysis and synthesis of materials in the essay. The essay should apply the Harvard style of referencing with a List of References (LOR) at the end.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
formation of relevant knowledge
 2 3 4
2 
critical analysis and argument
 2 3 4
3 
effective communication
 2 3 4
4 
presentation in required format ​
 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:United Nations Human Rights Council simulation
Goal: 
To write a Report, and, orally represent a country or NGO at the UNHRC on a contemporary issue or event of international justice and human rights.
Product: Oral and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
You will be allotted a country or an NGO and a topic (by Week 7) regarding a contemporary issue or event of international justice and human rights that will be raised in the UNHRC. You will investigate and analyse this topic, and your designated country/NGO’s relation to it, and you will represent your country/NGO on the UNHRC. 
 
Using this research and critical thinking you will develop and write a Report paper addressing the topic area for your country/NGO. This Report (1250 words) will be written as a formal academic piece of writing in the form of a report and will apply a consistent style of referencing with a List of References (LOR). 
 
The simulation oral presentation will be given orally to the class during the simulation. This will include an introductory speech outlining your position (1 minute this can be pre-recorded) and you will then represent your country/NGO actively contributing toward the workings of the UNHRC as it seeks a resolution on the topic area during the 3 hr workshop. 
 
The simulation is an opportunity for you to discuss your Report and findings and for you to represent your country/NGO in an international forum. So, in addition to writing the Report and presenting your research you are also required to participate actively in the simulation. 
 
Important guidelines and discussion regarding the topic, how to approach it, how to write a Report and act/participate in the simulation, will be presented throughout the trimester prior to the simulation and written guidelines are provided on Canvas. 
 
You will submit the Report in Week 11 to Canvas. 

The oral component will be presented in a 3hr Workshop in Week 12. There will be one on-campus session for all students enrolled on campus at Sippy-Downs, one for students enrolled at Moreton, and one online session for all those enrolled online.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
​Attendance is required at the simulation guidelines session and at the simulation event.
 1
2 
Formation of relevant knowledge
 1 2 3 4
3 
critical analysis and argument
 1 2 3 4
4 
effective communication
 1 2
5 
presentation in required format ​
 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Daniel Moeckli, Sangeeta Shah, and Sandesh Sivakumaran 2017 International Human Rights Law 3 Oxford University Press

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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