Course coordinator
Dr David Kearns
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Human rights became a topic of high global significance in the wake of the horrible war crimes and totalitarianism of the 20th century. However, rights and freedoms have a much deeper history in Western thought and practice. They have involved some of the most contested debates in theology and philosophy over the centuries and have contributed significantly to the development of Western legal and political institutions. In this course, students will read a number of key texts that will allow them to consider the fundamental role that the twin concepts of rights and freedoms have played in shaping Western Civilisation, and how approaches to these concepts have evolved from ancient times to today's globalised society. These texts will examine and evaluate key conceptualisations, defences and critiques of rights and freedoms, encompass Indigenous perspectives and a diversity of authorial voices, and enable students to appreciate how varying schools of thought concerning the source, nature, scope and implications of rights and freedoms have shaped Western Civilisation.
This course equips students to identify and understand the three dominant historical traditions for thinking about rights and freedoms – common law, natural law, and utilitarianism – and how these traditions have interacted over time. Attention is given to key debates in the history of rights and freedoms, including women’s rights and free speech, and to notable historical episodes, such as the French and American Revolutions. Texts are drawn from a range of genres, including philosophical treatise, dialogue, legal textbook, statute, court case, and manuscript, written c. 500-2000. ﾠ
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
WCIV1000 or 4 units of HUMN courses.
Restrictions
BAdvHum(Hons) and BHum/LLB(Hons) students only. BAdvHum(Hons) students taking this course as an elective please email westernciv@uq.edu.au to enable your enrolment.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr David Kearns
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
WCIV 2900 aims to:
1. Introduce students to key traditions and ideas in the history of rights and freedoms
2. Explore how these traditions and ideas have emerged through a range of texts and genres
3. Consider how these traditions and ideas have interacted over time, and the implications of this history
4. Enable students to critically analyse contemporary debates over rights and freedoms in light of this longer history, and to present their findings in written and verbal forms
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Understand the basic concepts of rights and freedoms.
LO2.
Understand the evolution of thinking with regard to rights and freedoms.
LO3.
Understand the place and role of rights and freedoms in the context of Western society over time.
LO4.
Recognise and understand the importance of conflict in the development of ideas, texts, and identities.
LO5.
Understand and critically evaluate the key schools of thought and debates regarding rights and freedoms in Western societies.
LO6.
Be able to position key ideas and texts in relation to diverse civilisational groupings.
LO7.
Appreciate and critically evaluate the relationship between rights, freedoms and other principles of law and justice.
LO8.
Appreciate and critically consider the implications of principles of rights and freedoms for law and justice.
LO9.
Independently criticise and evaluate specific rights and freedoms and their implications.
LO10.
Demonstrate scholarly analytical and reasoning skills in applying this knowledge to debates regarding the rights and freedoms.
LO11.
Demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and persuasively about rights and freedoms in written and spoken form.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution | Class Participation | 15% | |
| Essay/ Critique | Major Essay | 40% |
11/10/2024 2:00 pm
Submit via TurnItIn through Blackboard |
| Presentation | Individual Presentation | 15% | |
| Examination | Exam | 30% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
Assessment details
Class Participation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 15%
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11
Task description
Seminar participation will be assessed according to three sub-components: in-person lecture attendance (or provision of notes within a week of the lecture when lecture is not attended) (25%); pre-seminar submission of a summary of the readings according to the set formula (25%); and participation during seminars (50%). This assessment structure is weighted towards active participation in class. No marks are awarded merely for seminar attendance - only lecture attendance - but 2 marks will be deducted from the overall participation grade for each seminar missed without cause.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Major Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
11/10/2024 2:00 pm
Submit via TurnItIn through Blackboard
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05, L06, L07, L09, L10, L11
Task description
Students are required to submit a 2,000 word research essay based on a selected essay question. Further details about this task will be posted on the course Blackboard site.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Turnitin dropbox on Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Individual Presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15%
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05, L06, L09, L11
Task description
Class presentations will entail two sub-components: delivering a presentation on a selected week's readings to the seminar (60%); and providing the role of discussant for another student's presentation (40%).
In week 1, students will have an opportunity to select a week in which they wish to present on the selected texts. Presentations will be ten-minutes long, will be held at the start of class, and will proceed according to the following format:
- Introduction to the text/s (approx. one minute)
- Summary of the argument/s (approx. six minutes)
- Reflection on the modern implications of the text/s (approx. two minutes)
- Conclusion (approx. one minute)
Also in week 1, students will be allocated a week to act as discussant for another student's presentation. Presenters must circulate their draft presentation to the discussant and tutor 48 hours prior to the seminar. Discussions will be five-minutes long, and will proceed according to the following format:
- Compliment the speaker on their work (approx. one minute)
- Summarise the speaker's argument in a neutral manner that prepares the way for your questions (approx. three minutes)
- Pose one question that is polite but challenging and reflects your own close reading of the text/s (approx. one minute)
The discussant's job is to make the speaker and their presentation more interesting for everyone. This means that marks will be deducted for aggressive and hostile responses, and marks will be awarded for respectful discussions that provide greater illumination of the text/s.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Exam
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11
Task description
Length: approx. 1,500 words
Students will be required to select a contemporary statement regarding rights and freedoms from a list of choices, and critically analyse this statement in terms of the intellectual traditions studied in this course. Further information will be provided in due course.
This assessment task evaluates students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 1, Serious Fail (0-24.99%), is generally awarded in cases where some work has been submitted, but of wholly unsatisfactory standard or quantity. In work submitted, however, there is no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts of the field of study or basic requirements of the course. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 2, Fail (25-44.99%), is generally awarded to work that exhibits deficiencies in understanding and applying the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study, and as such, does not satisfy the basic requirements of the course. Often, one or more major items of assessment will not have been completed. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Grade 3, Marginal Fail (45-49.99%), is generally awarded if a student has submitted work that attempts to meet the knowledge and skill requirements of the course, but is only able to demonstrate a superficial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course. Students will usually have attempted all major pieces of assessment and show that they have an identifiable, emerging ability to apply basic knowledge and skills. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 4, Pass (50-64.99%), is generally awarded where all major items of assessment have been submitted. An adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study should be demonstrated and a functional skill level achieved. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 5, Credit (65-74.99%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and a substantial understanding of the fundamental concepts of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 6, Distinction (75-84.99%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and substantial knowledge of the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been demonstrated. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Grade 7, High Distinction (85-100%), is generally awarded where all items of assessment have been completed and there is evidence that the deeper and more complex aspects of the course and field of study have been mastered. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Student Services
Student services offer a variety of short courses during the semester which will help you improve your study, research and writing skills.
The team also offers a wide range of professional and confidential services.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (22 Jul - 28 Jul) |
Lecture |
Intro + Origins of the Natural Law Tradition Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
The History of Rights and Freedoms Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Lecture |
Origins of the Common Law Tradition Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Origins of the Natural Law Tradition Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Lecture |
Natural Law and Sovereignty Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Origins of the Common Law Tradition Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Lecture |
Natural Law and Empire Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Natural Law and Sovereignty Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Lecture |
Common Law and the Liberties of Subjects Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Natural Law and Empire Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Lecture |
Common Law and Natural Law in Conflict Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Common Law and the Liberties of Subjects Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Lecture |
Common Law and Natural Law United Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Common Law and Natural Law in Conflict Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Lecture |
Rights and Freedoms in the French Revolution Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Common Law and Natural Law United Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Lecture |
Race and the American Constitution Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Rights and Freedoms in the French Revolution Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 10 (30 Sep - 06 Oct) |
Lecture |
Utilitarianism and Common Law Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Race and the American Constitution Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Lecture |
Rights and Freedoms in Modern Australian Law Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Utilitarianism and Common Law Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Lecture |
Rights and Freedoms in Modern Legal Philosophy Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
Seminar |
Rights and Freedoms in Modern Australian Law Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11 |
|
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Lecture |
WCIV2900 Recap |
Seminar |
Rights and Freedoms in Modern Legal Philosophy |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.