Rethinking Rights and Global Development

Subject 131-547 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - 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: A 2-hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week, 7 additional hours/week. Total of 9 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Usually admission to an MA in Gender Studies

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Maree Pardy

Contact

Dr Maree Pardy

mpardy@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject explores the theoretical and political issues surrounding ideas of rights and human rights, with special reference to the development process within the contemporary globalising order. It draws on recent critical, feminist and other (re)theorising within a range of disciplines including anthropology and sociology, political science, international relations, geography, legal studies, history and development studies. The subject examines definitions of rights and the reframing of such ideas within critical theory; the background to the development of the international human rights regime; the moral basis of and possibility of global civil society and global citizenship; histories of rights discourses, especially the so-called four generations of rights; the state, citizenship and rights in the developing world; 'rights', universalism, cosmopolitanism and 'culture', with particular reference to 'Asian Values'; participation and rights-based development theory and practice, especially in relation to poverty alleviation, economic and land rights; indigenous people's rights; labour; unfree labour and rights; war, displacement, the new migrations and refugees' rights; women's rights; sexuality rights; children's rights; disability rights; and NGOs, social movements and rights.
Objectives:	Students who successfully complete this subject will have an understanding of the main historical developments in thinking about issues of rights and human rights in the development process; be able to understand the main theoretical approaches to the analysis of 'rights' and 'claims to rights' in the developing world; be able to understand the principal contemporary debates around rights and human rights; be able to appreciate the significance of gender, 'race', ethnicity, class and colonialism in analysing issues of rights.
Assessment:	A research essay of 3000 words 60% (due mid semester), a reflective essay of 2000 words 40% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available at the bookshop at the start of semester.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	show an advanced understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area; be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline; have an appreciation of the design, conduct and reporting of original research.
Related Course(s):	Master of Arts (International Studies)(Adv. Seminars and Shorter Thesis) Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development) Master of Development Studies(CWT) Master of Global Media Communication
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Anthropology and Social Theory Gender Studies Gender Studies Gender Studies Social Theory Social Theory

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