This course involves an examination of the fundamental legal standards and institutions of international human rights, through the medium of contemporary human rights concerns. It will familiarize you with the basic principles of international human rights law and the mechanisms for its enforcement. Particular attention will be given to current issues such as terrorism, globalisation and its impact on economic and social rights and the changing role of the United Nations. Special attention is also given to the expanding role of multinational corporations in the global economy, the death penalty, genocide, "cultural relativism", the protection of human rights in Australia and the role of non-government organizations in promoting and protecting human rights. The course will benefit from the input of several guest speakers on discrete topics. This course is part of a general offering of human rights and social justice topics within the UNSW Law School and aims to provide students with an introductory approach to human rights.

At the end of this course students should: