Course overview
The course helps to make students career ready by assisting them to secure 'internships' with human rights organisations located internationally and nationally for a minimum period of six weeks. The internships enable students to build on their understanding of the theory of human rights law by gaining an appreciation of its practical operation. The course aims to give depth and context to students' existing knowledge of human rights law. It is expected that students will also be involved in the day-to-day activities of the organisation and gain an understanding of how such organisations operate. During the internship, students will be asked to reflect on the legal processes they are engaging with, and on the development of their legal skills. At the end of the course, students will be asked to submit a research essay which draws on some of the research they have conducted during the internship. The topic for this essay will be negotiated between the student and the course coordinator. Prior to commencement, students will be given an orientation seminar to introduce them to prepare them for their internship.
Course learning outcomes
- Apply human rights law to real problems
- Enhance research and advocacy skills
- Develop the capacity to analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources and experiences
- Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Apply good inter-personal and communication skills in both written and oral communication and independently and as a member of a team
- Further enhance written and oral skills in the explanation of, analysis and synthesis of legal principle