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Course Outline

LAW412 International Human Rights Law

Course Coordinator:Justine Poon (jpoon@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 2

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 Human Rights Law imposes obligations on States, making them accountable internationally for the treatment of persons at the hands of government institutions and officials and, to some extent, private persons. In this course you will examine the nature, theoretical underpinnings and historical development of human rights law. You will study the supra-national institutions and mechanisms concerned with the protection of universal human rights and the challenges associated with the implementation of the laws in the domestic sphere, in Australia and other countries.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Learning materials – Online learning materials and activities covering key topics will be available on Canvas. 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online Tutorials to review and apply knowledge. 2hrs Week 2 11 times
Seminar – Seminar workshop on Zoom, which will also be recorded. 1hr Refer to Format 2 times

Course Topics

History and Context of International Human Rights Law [Violence]

The Subject of Human Rights Law

Sources and Character of International Human Rights Obligations

Categories of International Human Rights

Protection Institutions – International, Regional and National

Enforcement, Exceptions and Limitations [Violence]

Critique of International Human Rights Law

Selected Topics in International Human Rights Law

Mature Content

Violence

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

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 Synthesise, interpret and apply relevant principles and approaches and broader interdisciplinary perspectives. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Apply knowledge, critical thinking, analysis and judgment to generate appropriate and practical responses to complex issues and problems. Creative and critical thinker
Sustainability-focussed
3 Communicate effectively and persuasively. Empowered
Engaged
4 Research and evaluate credible and authoritative sources in international human rights law in support of arguments. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

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

(LAW104 and LAW204 and enrolled in any Law Program) or (JST202 and enrolled in Program AR323)

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

​By week 4 of this course you will have received feedback on your understanding of key concepts and principles covered in weeks 1 – 3 through in-class discussions. You are encouraged to use the consultation time with the course coordinator to discuss your understanding of the course.

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 Written Piece Individual 20% 
Up tp 800 words
 Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Written Piece Individual 40% 
1500 words
 Week 8 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Essay Individual 40% 
2000 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Research and Reflection
Goal: 
This task asks you to demonstrate and reflect on research and thinking skills needed to make credible evaluations of international human rights law and to propose solutions to legal problems linked to Task 2.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Quiz and short answer questions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Identification of relevant legal and policy literature
 1 3 4
2 
Demonstration of understanding of the sources of international human rights law
 2 4
3 
Suitability of proposed research methods
 2 4
4 
Quality of written communication and presentation
 3
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Memorandum of advice
Goal: 
The goal of this task is to formulate a memorandum of advice in relation to an authentic human rights situation. You will be required to critically engage with substantive IHRL principles, apply them to the facts, and reach sound conclusions about the legal rights, obligations and remedies that arise in the given scenario.
Product: Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Written report consisting of no more than 1500 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography), using AGLC4 referencing.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Quality of research
 2 4
2 
Demonstrated knowledge of relevant principles of IHRL
 1 2 4
3 
Ability to apply the law in order to reach informed and sound conclusions
 2
4 
Capacity to address matters of uncertainty and public policy
 1 2
5 
Quality of written communication and presentation
 3
Generic Skills: 

                        

                    

                

                

                    

                        

                            
                                All - Assessment Task 3:Research essay
                            
                        

                        

                            Goal:
                            
The goal of this task is for you to research an assigned IHRL topic, analyse and critically evaluate all relevant legal, factual and policy matters, and use your judgment to effectively communicate an appropriate conclusion.

                        

                        

                            Product:
                            Essay
                        

                        

                            Authorship Statement:
                            
                        

                        

                            Format:
                            
Essay consisting of no more than 2000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography), using AGLC4 referencing.

                        

                        

                            Criteria:
                            
                                

                                    
                                        

                                            No.
                                            
                                            Learning Outcome assessed
                                        

                                    
                                    
                                            

                                                1
                                                
Depth of knowledge and understanding

                                                
                                                        2
                                                        4
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                2
                                                
Strength of analysis and argumentation

                                                
                                                        1
                                                        2
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                3
                                                
Quality of research

                                                
                                                        1
                                                        2
                                                        4
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                4
                                                
Quality of written communication and presentation

                                                
                                                        3
                                                
                                            

                                    
                                

                            		
                        

                        

                            Generic Skills:
                            

                        

                    

                

        

    

    

        

            

                
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, Sandesh Sivakumaran, Sangeeta Shah
                                    2022
                                    International Human Rights Law
                                    4th Edition
                                    Oxford University Press
                                

                        
                    

            

        


        

            

                
Specific requirements

                    
This is an online elective and you will require access to a computer or laptop with video and microphone and stable Internet access.

            

        

    


    

        

            
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:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
            

        


        

            

                
Assessment: Submission penalties

                Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day 
- 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
            

        


        

            

                
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

                
  • In person: 
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au

            

        

    







    

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