Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice
PostgraduateCUR-CHRE5012025
Unpack human rights and what the term has meant at different times in history. Manoeuvre your way through various human rights theories including universalism and socialisation. Address philosophical queries about what we mean by human rights.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 23 Feb 2025
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025
- Price from
- $2,735
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Human Rights and Social Justice
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- describe and critique human rights theories and philosophies
- use appropriate technologies to locate and critically appraise relevant human rights literature
- analyse and communicate human rights theories and philosophies
- critically analyse political, policy and moral issues using a human rights framework
- demonstrate an understanding of plagiarism, paraphrasing and the principles of Academic Integrity.
- The construction of conventional human rights discourses
- Human rights and the cultural relativist postmodern, postcolonial and decolonial critiques
- Feminist critiques and human rights in the private domain
- Sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights
- Human rights and disability
- Human rights and the environment
This subject was previously known as Human Rights Theory and Philosophy.
This subject provides an introduction to human rights, examining the foundations of the conventional human rights discourse and questioning what is meant by universal human rights. It explores the development of the Enlightenment and post-Holocaust human rights traditions, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and critiques universalism from postmodernist, postcolonialist, decolonial and feminist perspectives. It also examines rights from a range of disability, First Nations, LGBTQIA+ and ecological perspectives.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the Academic Integrity module.
- Discussion Points (30%)
- Essay (40%)
- Presentation (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Part of a degree
To enrol in this subject you must be accepted into one of the following degrees:
Core
- CUR-HRI-MAS-2025 - Master of Human Rights
Elective
- CUR-ISE-MAS-2025 - Master of Information Science (Extended)
- CUR-ISC-MAS-2025 - Master of Information Science
- CUR-ARM-GDI-2025 - Graduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
Additional requirements
- Equipment requirements - Audio/Visual equipment
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
Related degrees
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
PostgraduateCUR-HRI-MAS
Master of Information Science (Extended)
PostgraduateCUR-ISE-MAS
PostgraduateCUR-ISC-MAS
Graduate Diploma in Archives and Records Management
PostgraduateCUR-ARM-GDI