LAW3405 Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Law (FOBUS)

Semester 1 (ONC)Toowoomba (ONC)Springfield (EXT)Toowoomba

Units 1.0 (090900) Band 3

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <http://www.usq.edu.au/ict/students/standards/default.htm>.

Synopsis

This is a course on international human rights law and Australian human rights and anti-discrimination law. Students will examine international human rights treaties, institutions and procedures and the incorporation of Australia's human rights obligations into domestic law. The course will also cover the major elements of Commonwealth and Queensland anti-discrimination legislation: the grounds on which discrimination is prohibited, the types of discrimination covered, the areas in which discrimination is prohibited and the exceptions and exemptions provided. The course discusses the procedures by which the legislation is enforced and the remedies available to successful complainants, noting the functions of human rights and anti-discrimination bodies such as the federal Australian Human Rights Commission, the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Commission and the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal (including the role of the new Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal). Students will also be required to reflect on international and domestic human rights issues and cases. Students will be assessed on their capacity to synthesise the readings and course materials and their ability to apply the law to problem scenarios, construct a persuasive legal argument and write well and clearly.