Course Title: Implement Human Rights Principles in a Justice Environment
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2013
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 contemporary society. |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 The historical events surrounding the development of the UN Universal decalaration of Human Rights is outlined. |
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. |
Element: |
3. Analyse justice enforcement issues in relation to human rights violations. |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Inter-jurisdictional processes in the trafficaking of women and children for the sex slave industry are evaluated. |
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. |
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. |
Learning Outcomes
See elements
Details of Learning Activities
Students will engage in lectures and weekly case studies to explore Human rights from an aspirational, ethical and enforcement perspective. The major learning is the application of this knowledge in individual and group preparation of a research topic of their choice.
Teaching Schedule
Week One: the historical origins of western philosophy and the rights of the individual
Week Two: the underpinnings of eastern philosophy and its focus on collectivism
Week Three: Human Rights from Magna Carta to the French Revolution
Week Four: Hope rising out of Carnage: the establishment of the League of Nations and the United nations
Week Five: The Evolution of “rights”-first, second and third generational rights
Week Six: Treaties, Conventions and Protocols
Week Seven: the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities
Week Eight: the marginalized in society: Indigenous peoples
Week Nine: the Slave Trade
Week Ten: Human Trafficking: the Sex trade-women and children
Week Eleven: Refugees
Week Twelve:
Week Thirteen: Oral presentations
Week Fourteen: Oral Presentations
Week Fifteen: Oral Presentations
Week Sixteen: Reflections and looking forward
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
There is no prescribed text. Students will have access to the most current legislative, policy, treaty, convention and protocol impacting on the enforcement of Human Rights in Victoria, Australia and overseas jurisdictions |
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment tasks will include:
- Weekly case studies
- Group research project and Oral Presentation
- Research paper
Assessment Tasks
There will be one formative (non-graded) assessment to provide feedback on student understanding of concepts and principles of human rights.
There will be five summative (graded) assessments:
1.Active participation in weekly case studies
2.Individual contribution to group research project
3.Individual contribution to group oral presentation
4.Group Oral Report
5.Group essay of 5,000 words on research topic
Assessment Matrix
The assessment has been designed to cover all Learning Outcomes and will be graded in accordance with RMIT’s Mark Table 7 which is as follows:
HD 80-100
DI 70-79
CR 60-69
PA 50-59
NN 0-49
All written work must adhere to the following criteria:
Written reports, research projects or essays are to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts and familiarity with the prescribed or negotiated topics
It is expected that all submitted work will be well written, with clear and consistent grammar, expression and punctuation. It must be well structured and cogently address the issues raised in the chosen topic in a logical, ordered and organised manner
The concepts must be well defined and demonstrate a critical analysis of the chosen topic
Written submissions must demonstrate appropriate preparation, reading and research
In-text references must follow the APA style of referencing. In addition, you must provide a bibliography with correct and comprehensive details in relation to texts, articles, research reports and other sources that you have used
Double or 1.5 spacing and a font size of 10-12 must be used in font style Aerial or Times New Roman.
Other Information
Extensions will not be granted by teachers or Administrative staff.
In accordance with RMIT policy, you may apply for an extension where there have been unexpected or extenuating circumstances, e.g.
•Hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. This does not include minor illness such as a cold, period pain or hay fever.
•Loss or bereavement – e.g. death of a close family member, family/relationship breakdown.
•Hardship/trauma – e.g. victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.
You must keep a copy of their assessment until the graded submission has been returned or marks have been posted.
All email communications will be sent to your RMIT student email address.
Applying for an Extension
Extension of time for assessment tasks may be granted where circumstances beyond your control prevent submission by the published due date. An application for extension of time must be lodged with your tutor or the course coordinator as early as possible, and no later than one working day before the due date for submission.
You can apply for extension using the University’s Extension Application Form – http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf – or by emailing your course coordinator or tutor directly.
An extension of up to seven calendar days may be granted if good reason can be demonstrated. Include supporting evidence (such as medical certificates) with your application.
Extensions beyond seven calendar days cannot be granted by course coordinators, tutors or the School. To apply for an extension of time greater than seven calendar days you must lodge an application for Special Consideration.
Applying for Special Consideration
If you are seeking an extension of more than seven calendar days (from the original due date) you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date. Late applications will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. For information about Special Consideration and how to apply, see: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
Penalties for Late Submission
If you have not been granted an extension or special consideration, late submission will be penalised as follows:
Assessment tasks submitted after the due date of submission shall receive a penalty of five per cent of the grades available for that assessment per day for each working day late.
No assessment task shall be accepted more than three weeks after the due date.
Assessment Appeals
If you believe your assessment result or final result is wrong please contact the course coordinator and provide the reason why you think your result is incorrect. Valid reasons for seeking a review of results include:
•You believe an error has occurred in the calculation of the grade; or,
•You believe the assessment did not comply with criteria published in the Course Guide; or,
•You believe the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).
•Full details of the procedure (including appeals procedure) can be located at this RMIT site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship through respecting the work of others whilst having the freedom to build new insights, new knowledge and ideas. RMIT University upholds the values of academic integrity as fundamental to the scholarship undertaken by all members of its community. Whenever you refer to another person’s research or ideas (either by directly quoting or paraphrasing them) you must acknowledge your source.
If you are even in doubt about how to properly cite a reference, consult your lecturer or the academic integrity website: http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity
The RMIT library provides tools to assist with your referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/info-trek/referencing
Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism and collusion constitute extremely serious academic misconduct, and are forms of cheating. You are reminded that cheating, whether by fabrication, falsification of data, or plagiarism, is an offence subject to University disciplinary procedures. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data, and oral presentations. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. Plagiarism is not acceptable.
Examples of plagiarism include:
•Copying sentences or paragraphs word-for-word from one or more sources, whether published or unpublished, which could include but is not limited to books, journals, reports, theses, websites, conference papers, course notes, etc. without proper citation;
•Closely paraphrasing sentences, paragraphs, ideas or themes without proper citation;
•Piecing together text from one or more sources and adding only linking sentences;
•Copying or submitting whole or parts of computer files without acknowledging their source;
•Copying designs or works of art and submitting them as your original work;
•Copying a whole or any part of another student’s work; and
•Submitting work as your own that someone else has done for you.
•Enabling Plagiarism: the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work is also an offence.
For further information, please see the RMIT Plagiarism Policy – http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=sg4yfqzod48g1 – and the RMIT Student Discipline Statute and Regulations - http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=11jgnnjgg70y
Plagiarism Software
Students may enter their work into Turnitin, in order to support the originality of their writing and references. The software Turnitin may be used in this course, and can be discussed with your educator, Program Manager and/or downloaded from http://www.turnitin.com
Course Overview: Access Course Overview