Course Title: Implement Human Rights Principles in a Justice Environment

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: SOSK5176

Course Title: Implement Human Rights Principles in a Justice Environment

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6077 - Advanced Diploma of Justice

Course Contact : Karen Linstrom

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254597

Course Contact Email:karen.linstrom@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 54

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

  • Work in a Legal Environment
  • Work with Culturally Diverse Clients in a Justice Environment
  • Introduction to the Criminal Justice System
  • Sociology

Course Description

This course covers the specific knowledge and skills on human rights required for the prescription of legal advocacy and enforcement of human rights within a Justice framework.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VBQU384 Implement Human Rights Principles in a Justice Environment

Element:

1. Analyse the development of Human Rights  in contempory society.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The historical events surrounding the development of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights are outlined.
1.2 The principles of legal obligation between a Treaty, a Convention and a Protocol within Australian Dualist traditions of law are identified and evaluated.
1.3 The cultural perspectives in the interpretation of Human Rights (western vs. eastern cultures and views of individual and group rights, etc) as it applies to the management of multi-culturalism in Australia are evaluated.
1.4 The impact of Victorian Human Rights legislation and human rights inclusion in all Acts of Parliament from 2006 are examined.

Element:

2. Examine and analyse the legislation, structures and processes in Australian society related to the protection of Human Rights.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Key aspects of legislation covering basic human rights are identified and applied.
2.2 The system of courts and tribunals designed to deal with basic human rights issues are evaluated.
2.3 The procedures involved in undertaking a human rights case are outlined. 
2.4 The shortfalls or ambiguities in the relevant legislation are investigated.

Element:

3. Analyse Justice Enforcement issues in relation to Human Rights violations.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Inter-jurisdictional processes in the trafficking of women and children for the sex slave industry are evaluated.
3.2 Inter-jurisdictional processes in the trafficking of illegal immigrants for work are investigated.
3.3 The issues of child labour and child solider issues and their effect on refugees arriving in Australia are analysed.
3.4 Legislation on People Trafficking (boat people) is examined.
3.5 Issues stemming from cultural collision with Australian law are examined.

Element:

4. Examine models of advocacy for working with groups experiencing inequality.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The groups that potentially will be affected by human rights issues are identified.
4.2 Critical features and strategies to engage these groups are outlined.
4.3 Appropriate advocacy models for these groups are identified.

Element:

5. Analyse barriers to full participation and access to resources in Australian society by people experiencing inequality.

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Groups who experience inequality in Australian society are identified.
5.2 An analysis is conducted to examine the relationships between access to resources and human rights.
5.3 Barriers to resources and strategies to eliminate or minimize them are identified.
5.4 Factors that create and maintain barriers to access are examined.


Learning Outcomes


See elements


Details of Learning Activities

Students will participate in a variety of teaching methods including: lectures, tutorials, class discussion, seminar presentations, group/individual work on projects, audio-visual presentations, field excursions where applicable, on site visits, and interaction with individuals and groups within the criminal justice area


Teaching Schedule

Weekly 3 hour seminars from the week commencing 12 July until the end of October 2010


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment tasks will include:

  • Weekly case studies   
  • Group research project and Oral Presentation
  • Research paper


Assessment Tasks

Students will be advised of their assessment tasks in the first week of classes


Assessment Matrix

Course Overview: Access Course Overview