DEVT 2002 - Rights and Development

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course is about human rights and international development, and about how these two parts of the international system increasingly intersect in a number of different ways. This intersection is an outcome, on the one hand, of the fact that human rights instruments, and the institutions which enforce these, have greatly expanded in recent decades, to now engage with a much wider range of (especially) social issues. On the other hand, `rights-based approaches' to interantional development have become increasingly influential in development policy circles over the past twenty years - and they now inform much of the work of many official and non-government development organisations (including UN agencies and key bilateral donors such as DFID and AusAID). This course provides an introduction both to human rights, especially as these apply to questions of social change, and to rights-based approaches to international development. Through a series of empirically-rich case studies taken from across the developing world, we look at the approaches of both of these areas, and examine debates surrounding them. In this way, the course addresses key questions such as: What are human rights, how can these be applied, and what effects do they produce in practice? What are the main features of rights-based approaches to international development and how do these differ from other approaches? How are rights-based approaches received (and perceived) by their target audiences? What are the limits of human rights; how, when and why might they not be applicable? In attempting to answer these and related questions, the course looks at a range of literatures, but focuses in particular upon the contributions made by the anthropology of human rights and international development.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DEVT 2002
    Course Rights and Development
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of undergraduate study
    Course Description This course is about human rights and international development, and about how these two parts of the international system increasingly intersect in a number of different ways. This intersection is an outcome, on the one hand, of the fact that human rights instruments, and the institutions which enforce these, have greatly expanded in recent decades, to now engage with a much wider range of (especially) social issues. On the other hand, `rights-based approaches' to interantional development have become increasingly influential in development policy circles over the past twenty years - and they now inform much of the work of many official and non-government development organisations (including UN agencies and key bilateral donors such as DFID and AusAID). This course provides an introduction both to human rights, especially as these apply to questions of social change, and to rights-based approaches to international development. Through a series of empirically-rich case studies taken from across the developing world, we look at the approaches of both of these areas, and examine debates surrounding them. In this way, the course addresses key questions such as: What are human rights, how can these be applied, and what effects do they produce in practice? What are the main features of rights-based approaches to international development and how do these differ from other approaches? How are rights-based approaches received (and perceived) by their target audiences? What are the limits of human rights; how, when and why might they not be applicable? In attempting to answer these and related questions, the course looks at a range of literatures, but focuses in particular upon the contributions made by the anthropology of human rights and international development.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Richard Vokes

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Demonstrate understanding of the broad nature of multi-disciplinary studies of human rights and international development
    2 Demonstrate knowledge of, and insight into, key issues and concerns of human rights policy, practice and theory
    3 Demonstrate the ability to understand the history and application of key theoretical approaches to human rights and international development
    4 Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate central themes, propositions and concepts in human rights and international development
    5 Develop the skills to work collaboratively in teams as well as individually in a learning and research environment
    6 Foster an interest in, and commitment to, continuous learning and social scientific research
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2, 3, 4
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2, 3, 4
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 2, 3, 4
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1, 2
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Instead of a textbook, the Required Readings for each week will be made available in electronic form. Students will need to have access to My Uni to access the readings and other course information.
    Recommended Resources
    Support learning for this course includes reading lists, web-links, library resources, essay writing guides, study guides, and referencing guides.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures supported by problem-solving tutorials which further develop the lecture material.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester
    2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 What are human rights-based approaches to development?
    Week 2 Historical perspectives on the human rights based approach to development. The Right to Development
    Week 3 Ethics, rights and poverty. A normative framework: beyond the legal
    Week 4 Role of accountability and participation in the global political economy of inequality
    Week 5 Neo-Liberalism and human rights-based approaches to development
    Week 6 Human rights-based approaches to development and gender
    Week 7 Human rights-based approaches to development and the rights of indigenous and ethnic minorities
    Week 8 Human rights-based approaches to development and refugees
    Week 9 Human rights-based approaches to development and duty bearers (donor and beneficiary governments)
    Week 10 Focus on civil society actors
    Week 11 Indicators and systemic measurement
    Week 12 Case studies that advance participation and accountability
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Participation Formative and Summative 10% 1-6
    Book review Formative and Summative 20% 1-6
    Policy assignment Formative and Summative 20% 2-6
    1500 word essay Formative and Summative 50% 2-6
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at seminars and students are expected to attend lectures.
    Assessment Detail
    Participation: students are expected to attend and participate in seminar discussions each week - 10% weighting.

    Book review: students submit a short review of a book from the list of required readings - 20% weighting.

    Policy assignment: students submit policy work (details available on enrolment) - 20% weighting.

    1500 word essay: students submit an essay on a specific topic - 50% weighting.
    Submission
    All assignments to be submitted electronically via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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