International Law and Children's Rights

Subject 730-742 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008. Search for this in the current handbook Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Summer Term, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 - 26 contact hours per subject.
Total Time Commitment: The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.
Prerequisites: N.A.
Corequisites: N.A.
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: N.A.

Coordinator

Mr John Tobin
Subject Overview:

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Be able to understand and critically assess the concept of childrens rights
  • Be aware of what it means to adopt a rights-based approach to matters involving children
  • Be able to recognise the impact of cultural, social and political factors on the implementation of childrens rights
  • Be conversant with and able to critically evaluate the international framework for the protection of childrens rights
  • Be aware of and able to critically assess the measures taken in Australian and other jurisdictions to implement this international framework
  • Be able to understand how to use this international framework in domestic courts, policy formulation and law making.

Syllabus:

The syllabus will consist of two parts.

Part one will involve a general discussion of:

  • The notion of childrens rights
  • The international framework for the protection of childrens rights, with particular emphasis on the Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • The factors that impact on the implementation of the Convention, both in Australia and overseas.

Part two will involve an examination of specific issues relevant to children and how the Convention and a rights-based analysis can be used to respond to these issues. Issues will be drawn from areas such as:

  • Sexual exploitation, including trafficking, prostitution and pornography
  • Child labour
  • Juvenile justice
  • Child refugees
  • Violence against children
  • Children in armed conflict
  • HIV/AIDS and children
  • Child poverty and homelessness.
Assessment:
  • Take-home examination (100%) (18-21 April)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (15 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
Prescribed Texts: Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.
Links to further information: 730-742International Law and Children's RightsMelbourne Law Masters, postgraduate law, post-graduate law, graduate law2008

Objectives:

A candidate who has successfully completed the subject should:

  • Be able to understand and critically assess the concept of childrens rights
  • Be aware of what it means to adopt a rights-based approach to matters involving children
  • Be able to recognise the impact of cultural, social and political factors on the implementation of childrens rights
  • Be conversant with and able to critically evaluate the international framework for the protection of childrens rights
  • Be aware of and able to critically assess the measures taken in Australian and other jurisdictions to implement this international framework
  • Be able to understand how to use this international framework in domestic courts, policy formulation and law making.

Syllabus:

The syllabus will consist of two parts.

Part one will involve a general discussion of:

  • The notion of childrens rights
  • The international framework for the protection of childrens rights, with particular emphasis on the Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • The factors that impact on the implementation of the Convention, both in Australia and overseas.

Part two will involve an examination of specific issues relevant to children and how the Convention and a rights-based analysis can be used to respond to these issues. Issues will be drawn from areas such as:

  • Sexual exploitation, including trafficking, prostitution and pornography
  • Child labour
  • Juvenile justice
  • Child refugees
  • Violence against children
  • Children in armed conflict
  • HIV/AIDS and children
  • Child poverty and homelessness.
  • Take-home examination (100%) (18-21 April)
    or
  • Research paper 10,000 words (100%) (15 May) (topic approved by the subject coordinator)
N.A.N.A.24 - 26 contact hours per subject.Core subject materials will be provided free of charge to all students. Some subjects require further texts to be purchased. Please visit the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website by following the link at the bottom of this subject entry.Please see the Subject Objectives for this information.The time commitment for this subject depends on the candidate's background and experience.N.A.Please see the subject homepage on the Melbourne Law Masters website for up to date timetable information.Mr John TobinLawFor the latest information on this subject, please visit: http://www.masters.law.unimelb.edu.au/subject/730742P12.500SummerNLawLaw730-742

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