Class Introduction
Welcome to the class from Bill Swanee, the national lecturer in charge for the unit Legal Institutions and Human Rights.
The unit serves as a foundation for the Bachelor of Human Rights course, which includes students from various disciplines.
Encouragement for students to turn on their cameras for better engagement.
Course Structure
Designed for the Bachelor of Human Rights but also open to law students as an elective.
Focuses on international law, especially institutions related to human rights.
Explains the structure of the course and informs that it is not entirely centered around domestic law.
Key Concepts Covered
International law and UN institutions play a major role in the course.
Discussion of state and territory law concerning human rights.
Focus on policy and sources of law beyond just legislation and case law.
Instructor Information
Bill Swanee is a lawyer with experience and has been teaching for approximately 12 years.
Based at the Melbourne campus of ACU and involved in developing the Bachelor of Human Rights course.
Coordinates law units in the course while collaborating with faculties of arts, education, and philosophy.
Online Learning Structure
Recorded lectures available on Canvas to review at students' convenience under the module section.
Weekly tutorials held via Zoom, flexible attendance is allowed; students can switch between the 10:00 and 12:00 sessions as needed.
Importance of attending tutorials to foster dialogue and understanding of unit material.
Reading Materials
Light reading has been assigned for each session, which may include journal articles, websites, or video clips.
Readings are expected to be done before attending tutorials.
Importance of Census Date
Last chance for students to withdraw from the subject without financial or academic penalty.
Upcoming census date: March 31.
Purpose is to remind students to be conscious of this date, especially if considering withdrawal due to unforeseen circumstances.
Student Communication Guidelines
Students must check their ACU email regularly for direct communication from the instructor.
Contact preferred through ACU email for security and verification reasons.
Daily checks of announcements on Canvas for updates.
Assessment Structure
Class does not include traditional examination but has three assessment components:
Multiple-choice quiz
Case study analysis
Extended case study analysis
Details on assessments can be found under the 'assignments' tab on Canvas.
Quiz Details
Scheduled for March 27-28; open for 48 hours with a 30-minute time limit.
Open book format, meaning students can reference materials during the quiz.
Understanding comes from required readings and participation in discussions.
Immediate feedback will be given to students upon completion.
Case Study Analysis
Students are expected to analyze a human rights case study related to a legal institution.
Must follow APA 7 referencing style, especially for law students.
Encouragement to seek assistance from library resources for guidance on APA referencing.
Human Rights Understanding
Human rights linked to dignity, autonomy, and equality inherent to all individuals.
Examines the relationship between individuals and the state in protecting rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a significant document outlining these rights.
National vs. International Human Rights
Discussion of the absence of a national charter for human rights in Australia, contrasting it with countries like the USA.
Highlights existing human rights legislation in only three Australian jurisdictions: Victoria, ACT, and Queensland.
International Law
Defined as the set of rules that govern relations between states.
Importance of sovereignty in international law, highlighting tensions between sovereignty and human rights obligations.
Ternan Case Overview
Involves Tasmanian laws criminalizing homosexuality and the subsequent human rights complaint.
Complaint focused on violation of rights under Article 17 of the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights).
Outcomes include favorable decisions from both the UN Human Rights Committee and the Australian Government to repeal discriminatory laws.
Legal Concepts
Discussion of jurisdiction and its implications for legal institutions.
Differentiation between various institutions and their jurisdictions, including the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Explanation of the importance of reasonableness in assessing the lawfulness of interferences with privacy through the lens of human rights.
Encouragement of Engagement
Discussion of future classes, encouraging students to contemplate assignments and engage with upcoming topics.
Invitation for further questions and support in identifying case studies for assessments.
Emphasis on the ongoing nature of discussions surrounding human rights in future classes.