The focus of the course is the impact of Global Governance on Social Justice. It looks at ways in which international organisations, agreements and campaigns can help or hinder the struggle for social justice around the world. This includes impacts on health, education, income, work opportunities and human rights.
The course looks at key structures and roles of the United Nations and other global bodies like the International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation and International Labour Organisation. It also looks at newly emerging bodies like the G20 and the new BRICS group of major countries like India and China, as well as regional bodies like the European Union and the Association of South East Asian Nations.
Special attention is given to the role of civil society organisations like Make Poverty History, the International Trade Union Confederation and Social Watch in campaigning for social justice. The course draws substantially on practical examples from the lecturer’s extensive experience as the head of a global advocacy body representing major social justice organisations from more than sixty countries.

This course is also available to students undertaking relevant postgraduate non-law degree programs at UNSW, provided such enrolment is approved by the appropriate non-law Faculty.

None

Upon completing this course, it is expected that students will have achieved and demonstrated:

 

 

Presentation and class participation

Students will be required to make a 15 minute presentation at the final class, followed by up to 10 minutes of discussion, on the topic on which they are submitting a research essay. Class participation and this presentation will count for 30% of the final assessment.

The principal criteria for the presentation will be clarity, accuracy and relevance of factual presentation; clarity, persuasiveness and relevance of argument; and the effectiveness of oral communication to the class.

The criteria for assessing class participation will be attendance at classes; demonstrated preparation for class; and willingness to contribute to class discussions and to ask and respond to questions. The Law Faculty requires students to attend at least 80% of classes.

Research Essay

Students will be required to complete and submit a 5,000-6,000 word research essay. The topic for the essay will be chosen by the student, subject to the lecturer's approval, and a list of suggested topics will be made available at the second class. The essay will count for 70% of the final assessment.

Assessment criteria for this essay include the creativity, accuracy and thoroughness of research; the clarity and logic of the essay structure; the clarity, accuracy and relevance of the factual presentation; the persuasiveness and relevance of the argument; and the correctness of referencing.

Essays must be submitted by the due date One mark will be deducted from the student's assessed mark for each full day late, and one mark deducted for each full 100 words above the prescribed maximum number of words (which includes footnotes but not bibliography).