Human Rights in Practice: Advocacy, Activism and Change
UndergraduateMUR-HUM2002027
Course information for 2027 intake
Advocates use different strategies to turn human rights principles into action. Analyse strategic litigation, narrative framing, digital activism and major campaigns to understand how movements challenge power and pursue systemic change.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Enrol by
- 18 July 2027
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 15 weeks
- Start dates
- 26 July 2027
- Price from
- $2,257
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Human Rights in Practice: Advocacy, Activism and Change
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Evaluate how theories of power, framing, and advocacy are applied by diverse actors to challenge domestic and international human rights violations.
- Analyse the intersections of direct, structural, and cultural violence within specific historical and contemporary contexts.
- Compare the effectiveness of varied advocacy methods across different political landscapes, from established democracies to contentious conflict zones.
- Locate and interpret primary and secondary sources to investigate human rights issues.
- Translate human rights scholarship and legal evidence into strong written and oral arguments.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
How do human rights move from paper to practice? This subject explores the dynamic strategies used by activists and advocates to challenge power and drive systemic change. You will master the ‘toolkit of influence’ - from the Boomerang Model and strategic litigation to the power of narrative framing and digital activism.
By analysing landmark campaigns, you will examine how a range of human rights movements have created transformational change. You will trace the evolution of justice from the abolitionist and feminist movements to the dismantling of Apartheid and the transition from conflict to peace in Northern Ireland. You will then confront the ‘unsettling’ of the Australian colony and the legal battles for Rohingya justice at the International Court of Justice. Through these case studies, you will develop the practical skills to navigate contentious political landscapes and champion human rights in an ever-evolving world.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
Assessment in this subject includes an exam. Majority of OUA students will be required to complete their final exam remotely online (Remote eExam) via myMurdoch Learning (LMS), using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor. You will require a device meeting the minimum standards with a webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection and perform a one-time installation of ‘Respondus LockDown Browser’ using the unique Murdoch link. You are required to complete the mandatory practice quiz before the start of the exam period to ensure a smooth experience on the day. More information regarding Respondus can be found on the Remote eExam page: https://goto.murdoch.edu.au/RemoteExams
- Role Play (30%)
- Final Invigilated Exam (Remote eExam using Respondus) (40%)
- Social media campaign (30%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Others
To enrol in this subject, you must have passed a minimum of 12 credit points at 100-level.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
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.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
UndergraduateMUR-COM-DEG
UndergraduateMUR-BAR-DEG
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