Rights and Public Policy

Subject POLS90033 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week. If enrolments exceed 30, the 2nd hour of the seminar may be split into 2 or 3 small classes.
Total Time Commitment: 10
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: Politics and International Studies or Public Policy at Undergraduate level.
Non Allowed Subjects:

166-579 Rights and Public Policy

166-058 Law, Ethics and Public Policy

Subject
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

To be advised

Subject Overview:

This subject aims to assist students with the development of skills relevant in the policy-making process. This is carried out by familiarising students with legal and political developments within a variety of rights fields and by requiring them to reflect on the institutions responsible for defining and protecting rights. We consider rights issues such as freedom of speech, sexual and racial discrimination, assisted reproductive technologies, euthanasia, Indigenous rights and the impact of bills of rights. Students who complete this subject should gain skills relevant to policy-making processes.

Objectives:

Students who complete this subject shoud:

  • gain skills that are relevant to the policy-making process.
  • understand recent developments within legal and ethical philosophy.
  • understand the institutions (courts, parliaments and administrative agencies) responsible for implementing programs in Australia.
Assessment: A research essay of 5000 words, due during the examination period.
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who complete this subject should:

  • be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry.
  • be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic.
  • be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Public Policy and Management
Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Master of Social Policy
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Public Policy and Management)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Political Science
Political Science
Political Science
Politics and International Studies
Public Policy and Management
Public Policy and Management
Socio-Legal studies
Socio-legal Studies

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