Rethinking Rights and Global Development

Subject GEND90007 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 27-Jul-2015 to 25-Oct-2015
Assessment Period End 20-Nov-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 07-Aug-2015
Census Date 31-Aug-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 25-Sep-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks.
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Students enrolling in this subject must have a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.

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 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/

Coordinator

Dr Elise Klein

Contact

Dr Elise Klein

Email: elise.klein@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 re-framing 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.

Learning Outcomes:

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:

An assignment on 'major concepts' of 2,000 words (40%) due mid semester, and a research essay of 3,000 words (60%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available 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:

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

  • 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 (Professional and Applied Ethics)
Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (Enhanced)
Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Ethics
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Ethics
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics
100 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender && Development)
100 Point Master of Global Media Communication
100 Point Master of Islamic Studies
150 Point Master of Development Studies
150 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender && Development)
150 Point Master of Global Media Communication
150 Point Master of Islamic Studies
200 Point Master of Development Studies
200 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender && Development)
200 Point Master of Global Media Communication
200 Point Master of Islamic Studies
200 points Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics
Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology
Development
Development
Development Studies
Development Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Gender and Development Specialisation - 100 Point Program
Gender and Development Specialisation - 150 Point Program
Gender and Development Specialisation - 200 Point Program
Professional Ethics
Professional Ethics
Social Theory
Social Theory
Social Theory
Social Theory

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