Gain a critical understanding of the roots of human rights violations and the tools and mechanisms deployed to promote and protect them, while developing key skills in research, analysis, communication and advocacy that can be applied in domestic, regional and international contexts.
For people who wish to make a meaningful difference in the world, this course is suited to those who want explore the potential power of, and challenges to, policy, advocacy, and research in human rights and humanitarianism, whether locally, regionally, or internationally.
Students in the Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) take four elemental cores that offer an interdisciplinary grounding in development, peace and conflict, and human rights. All Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) students take these cores together, thereby building cohesion among and between students in the different streams. Students will grapple with some of the world’s most complex social justice problems in these cores, including eradicating poverty, facilitating conflict transformation, addressing human rights violations, and responding to the globe’s most pressing environmental crises.
Students in the Master of Social Justice (Human Rights) additionally complete three selective units that solidify knowledge of human rights mechanisms and the possible responses from activists, advocates, and human rights practitioners. These units dive deep into the roots of violations and the leverage necessary to respond, with case examples on the rights of indigenous people, refugee and asylum seekers, and business and human rights.
Three additional electives allow students to broaden their knowledge in social justice-related fields.
Finally, students undertake a 2-semester capstone project focusing on a topic relevant to human rights, either completing a dissertation or undertaking a social justice internship pathway, preparing students for higher degree research or professional practice, respectively.
