Human Rights Theory and Philosophy
PostgraduateCUR-CHRE5012023
Course information for 2023 intake View information for 2025 course intake
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.
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- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- FEE-HELP available
Human Rights Theory and Philosophy
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.
- What do we mean by human rights?
- Modern perspectives on human rights
- Constructing human rights: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Human rights and the cultural relativist critique
- Human rights and the postmodern and postcolonial critiques
- The feminist critique and rights in the private domain
- Human rights norms, regimes and socialisation
- Human rights and the ethics of the use of force
- Sexual orientation, gender identity and human rights
- Human rights and disability
- Human rights and the environment
This subject questions what is meant by human rights, and examines the foundations of conventional human rights discourse in western philosophy. It also examines the development of the post-Holocaust human rights tradition, in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and some contemporary rights perspectives including human rights norms, regimes and socialisation theories. Critiques of universalism are also explored from the cultural relativist, postmodern and feminist 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-2023 - Master of Human Rights
Elective
- UNE-PRO-GCE-2023 - Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice
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
Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice
PostgraduateUNE-PRO-GCE