131-073 Human Rights in Australian History

Formerly available as 131-294/394. Students who have completed 131-294 or 131-394 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Usually 25 points of first year history or first year Australian studies, see Prerequisites.

The central objective of this course is to encourage critical thinking and writing that revolves around the nature of universal rights and the historical mechanisms by which these have been both denied, suspended, or rendered non-applicable to individuals and groups, and the means by which they have been won. This will be grounded in an historical gauging of the nature of rights and evolving categories of exclusion and inclusion in Australia from the colonial occupation to present times. With a focus on the emergence of notions of rights and extensions of privilege, it will consider the ways Australia has been imagined as a nation over time and constructed by debates over the make up of its boundaries, subjects and citizens. With attention to the ways in which the apparently universal notion of 'humanity' has shifted, expanded and contracted in direct relation, for example, to race, gender, ability, poverty, and migrant or refugee status, the subject will locate current global human rights issues and debates in historical and local case studies.

• demonstrate research skills through competent use of the library and other information sources;

• show critical thinking and analysis through recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;

• demonstrate understanding of social, ethical and cultural context through the contextualisation of judgements, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and possibilities and by constructing an argument.

A 1500 word essay 30% (due mid-semester), a 2000 word essay 50% (due at the end of semester), a 500 word journal 10% (end of semester) and tutorial presentation, attendance and participation 10%.