This course explores the foundational ideas, the models of implementation, and the grammar of political discourse around economic and social rights in comparative and international legal systems.
Learning around these issues will be prompted by case studies of specific rights - including the right to housing, health care, education, water, work and food - and specific jurisdictions and regimes - including the United Nations International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the domestic systems of South Africa, India, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Proposals for the legislative recognition of economic and social rights in Australia will also be examined.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Students who have successfully completed this course will understand, and be able to:
- evaluate the arguments for and against the recognition of material interests in food, health care, housing, education or water, as legal rights;
- critically reflect on the use of international and comparative law in the emerging trends towards the legal recognition of economic and social rights,
- synthesise approaches to the use of comparative data and case studies which focus on distinct legal systems;
- apply particular economic, moral and developmental theories to current legal arrangements, and to proposals for law reform;
- evaluate the role of legal practitioners, and of human rights, welfare and development specialists in legal settings which recognise economic and social rights;
- critically analyse proposals that seek to legislatively entrench economic and social rights in the Australian legal system.
Indicative Assessment
- Take-home exam, 3000 words ORResearch essay, 6000 words - 80%
- Option class presentation OR class test - 10%
- Class participation - 10%
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Twenty-six class hours plus private study.
Prescribed Texts
Reading materials will be made available.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 3
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2958 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
