CDS 2000 Ethical Issues and Human Rights

STAFFING:

SYNOPSIS:

This course is designed to introduce students to the main legal, ethical, and social justice responsibilities that are integral to work in community organisations.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Explain the original meaning and impact of a rights-based approach in community services.
2. Demonstrate familiarity with human rights issues in contemporary Australia.
3. Define social justice and theoretical approaches that shape contemporary understanding of social justice in Australia.
4. Critically review Australian society to identify instances of inequality, marginalisation, and social depravation.
5. Review and discuss the efficacy and limitations of various legislative provisions for rights and social justice.
6. Define ethical frameworks and explain their application in community services.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the application of ethics in community workplaces.
8. Demonstrate oral and written skills in the analysis and discussion of human rights and ethical issues.

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Students will be advised of the requirements for this assessment at the start of the semester.

2.

Students are strongly advised to attend tutorial classes. Contributions will be graded on relevance, evidence of preparatory reading, quality of ideas and coherence of oral expression.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. The course requires weekly involvement in interactive group processes around the development of a project by students. Students should reflect on their readiness to engage in such an experience. If students have been through personal crisis, they need to assess their capacity to cope with an interactive group experience. If they have doubts about their capacity to cope, they should contact their personal counsellor or speak with the course lecturer prior to commencing. Students have an ethical right to choose their level and timing of involvement, and this will be respected. However, a lack of satisfactory participation could have a negative impact on marks, and potentially generate reactions from other group members which could result in difficult group dynamics.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To be assured of completing each assessment item satisfactorily a student must submit all of the items of summative assessment by the due date and achieve on each the minimum specified standards outlined in 4 (Requirements for a pass in the course).
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of a passing grade, students must demonstrate, via the summative assessment items, that they have achieved the required minimum standards in relation to the objectives of the course by: (i) satisfactorily completing the examination and assignments; and (ii) obtaining at least 50% of the total weighted marks for all summative assessment items.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES