Master of Human Rights Law for 2012

Why study Master of Human Rights Law?

The Human Rights specialisation allows graduates in non-law disciplines to choose from an extensive range of units covering topics across the domestic and international arenas. Covering a wide range of traditional and emerging topics, from indigenous and children's rights to issues relating to terrorism, migration and encroachments on privacy, this specialisation enables students to focus on topical human rights issues confronting governments, international bodies, individuals and corporations and allows students to critically engage in and debate these issues.

It is particularly relevant for those who wish to pursue a career in human rights law and related work. This specialised degree provides in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of the international human rights legal framework, the organisations that promote and protect it and the mechanisms and processes by which it is enforced. Students will also develop high-level skills in interpreting and analysing primary and secondary human rights materials, including treaties, treaty body decisions, domestic jurisprudence and scholarly commentary. Our courses, along with the faculty's support of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, have put Monash University at the forefront of the movement to create a human rights law culture in Australia.

This course may be completed by undertaking eight coursework units (at least five in the area of human rights law) or a combination of coursework and a minor research thesis.