DEVT 2002 - Rights and Development

North Terrace Campus - Winter - 2015

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 international 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?

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code DEVT 2002
    Course Rights and Development
    Coordinating Unit Anthropology and Development Studies
    Term Winter
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 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 international 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?
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: James Chalmers

    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

    No information currently available.

    Workload

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

  • 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

    No information currently available.

    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission

    No information currently available.

    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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