LLB140 Human Rights Law
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LLB140 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LLB101. LLB101 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLB140 |
| Antirequisite(s): | LWB496 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,703 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $5,592 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LLB140 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LLB101. LLB101 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLB140 |
| Anti-requisite: | LWB496 |
| Coordinator: | Katherine Keane | katherine.keane@qut.edu.au |
Overview
LLB140 is a general law elective that equips students with the knowledge and skills to effectively apply human rights. This unit examines the concepts, institutions, principles and laws underpinning human rights, and engages with historical and contemporary substantive human rights law issues. The unit addresses international, regional and Australian human rights law.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe essential principles, institutions and doctrines of international and Australian human rights law (CLOs 1.1, 1.5 )
- Develop problem solving and critical analysis skills through the application of human rights law to current social problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)
- Research, evaluate and interpret sources relevant to the application and implementation of international human rights (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
- Effectively and persuasively construct and communicate written analysis of human rights law (CLO 4.1)
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- The history of human rights law
- Sources and core principles of contemporary international human rights law
- Institutions, mechanisms and jurisprudence of international human rights law, including an exploration of the roles of state and non-state actors
- Examination of key civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights
- The Australian human rights law framework, with a particular focus on Queensland
- Legal case studies of contemporary challenges to human rights
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from experts and your peers. You will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of weekly materials, including recordings delivered by experts and interactive and formative learning activities in live tutorials where you will learn from experts and your peers.
Your participation includes:
- Engaging with online materials, including recorded content that unpacks key concepts and provides a structure for your learning.
- Undertaking review quizzes that provide an opportunity to reinforce what you have learned in the recorded content.
- Conducting independent weekly preparation for tutorials that includes reading prescribed materials and preparing answers to learning activities.
- Participating in weekly collaborative tutorials designed for you to engage in class discussion, practice skills, seek guidance and feedback on learning activities, and interact with other students. These tutorials help you develop the skills required to effectively apply human rights law.
- Engaging in relevant topic discussions on Canvas.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on the development of your understanding of human rights law and the skills taught in this unit is provided through:
- Discussions in interactive tutorials
- Online discussion boards
- Individual feedback provided on the first assessment with the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form
- Generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment
- Private consultation sessions with a member of the teaching team during student consultation hours
- Review quizzes that provide formative assessment opportunities
Assessment
Overview
Overview of assessment:
The summative assessment consists of a written report and an invigilated examination.
Faculty assessment information
To access the Law School Assessment Information, see the Canvas site for this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Written report
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Examination
The written examination will assess your understanding of the unit content, including relevant law and principles, as well as your ability to interpret and apply the law to human rights issues.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resources for this unit include excerpts from the prescribed text, United Nations materials, international and Australian human rights law instruments, case law and relevant other secondary sources. The reading list for this unit is available on the unit Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Rhona K. M. Smith, International Human Rights Law (Oxford University Press, 10th Edition, 2022).
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | LLB140 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LLB101. LLB101 can be studied in the same teaching period as LLB140 |
| Anti-requisite: | LWB496 |
Overview
LLB140 is a general law elective that equips students with the knowledge and skills to effectively apply human rights. This unit examines the concepts, institutions, principles and laws underpinning human rights, and engages with historical and contemporary substantive human rights law issues. The unit addresses international, regional and Australian human rights law.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe essential principles, institutions and doctrines of international and Australian human rights law (CLOs 1.1, 1.5 )
- Develop problem solving and critical analysis skills through the application of human rights law to current social problems (CLOs 2.1, 2.2, 2.3)
- Research, evaluate and interpret sources relevant to the application and implementation of international human rights (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
- Effectively and persuasively construct and communicate written analysis of human rights law (CLO 4.1)
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- The history of human rights law
- Sources and core principles of contemporary international human rights law
- Institutions, mechanisms and jurisprudence of international human rights law, including an exploration of the roles of state and non-state actors
- Examination of key civil, political, economic, social and cultural human rights
- The Australian human rights law framework, with a particular focus on Queensland
- Legal case studies of contemporary challenges to human rights
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. It involves an online, self-led learning practice and live tutorials where you will learn from experts and your peers. You will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of weekly materials, including recordings delivered by experts and interactive and formative learning activities in live tutorials where you will learn from experts and your peers.
Your participation includes:
- Engaging with online materials, including recorded content that unpacks key concepts and provides a structure for your learning.
- Undertaking review quizzes that provide an opportunity to reinforce what you have learned in the recorded content.
- Conducting independent weekly preparation for tutorials that includes reading prescribed materials and preparing answers to learning activities.
- Participating in weekly collaborative tutorials designed for you to engage in class discussion, practice skills, seek guidance and feedback on learning activities, and interact with other students. These tutorials help you develop the skills required to effectively apply human rights law.
- Engaging in relevant topic discussions on Canvas.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on the development of your understanding of human rights law and the skills taught in this unit is provided through:
- Discussions in interactive tutorials
- Online discussion boards
- Individual feedback provided on the first assessment with the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form
- Generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment
- Private consultation sessions with a member of the teaching team during student consultation hours
- Review quizzes that provide formative assessment opportunities
Assessment
Overview
Overview of assessment:
The summative assessment consists of a written report and an invigilated examination.
Faculty assessment information
To access the Law School Assessment Information, see the Canvas site for this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Written report
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Examination
The written examination will assess your understanding of the unit content, including relevant law and principles, as well as your ability to interpret and apply the law to human rights issues.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resources for this unit include excerpts from the prescribed text, United Nations materials, international and Australian human rights law instruments, case law and relevant other secondary sources. The reading list for this unit is available on the unit Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Rhona K. M. Smith, International Human Rights Law (Oxford University Press, 10th Edition, 2022).
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit.