Course

South Africa Human Rights Clinic 6UOC - LAWS3218

Faculty: Faculty of Law

School: Faculty of Law

Course Outline: See below

Campus: Sydney

Career: Undergraduate

Units of Credit: 6

EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)

Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 3

Enrolment Requirements:

Pre-requisite: Crime & Criminal Process (LAWS1021/JURD7121) & Criminal Laws (LAWS1022/JURD7122) OR Crim. Law 1 (LAWS1001/JURD7101) & Crim. Law 2 (LAWS1011/JURD7111). Co-requisite: Litigation 1 [LAWS2311/ JURD7211] OR Res. Civil Disp. (LAWS2371/JURD7271)

CSS Contribution Charge: 3 (more info)

Tuition Fee: See Tuition Fee Schedule

Further Information: See Class Timetable

View course information for previous years.

Description

The course offers students an opportunity to engage in practical legal experience through working with human rights organisations in South Africa. The students will undertake a five week supervised experiential learning clinic based at partner organisations in Johannesburg, South Africa during January and February. Students will attend a seminar program about South Africa, its history and legal system, and about the roles and responsibilities of interns. Students will work on a range of issues identified by the organisations and will gain practical experience in various legal approaches. Through work on specific litigation, advocacy and law reform projects students will deepen their practical skills in research, writing, advocacy, problem-solving and strategic thinking.

Assumed Knowledge

Coursework or experience in the areas of human rights law and advocacy, public interest litigation, or similar subject highly desirable.

Course Objectives

  • To be able to identify and critically assess various legal and non-legal strategies that may be employed by human rights lawyers and advocates in different settings, with a focus on South Africa, and critically evaluate the role of law and lawyers in protecting and advancing human rights;
  • To apply research, writing and problem-solving skills in formulating policy and legal responses to current human rights problems;
  • To develop practical lawyering skills, including oral and written communication and drafting skills, while gaining experience in producing timely and professional written work that may be relied upon by other professionals;
  • To enhance skills required to engage professionally with a variety of stakeholders in international contexts, demonstrating appropriate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of ethical, political and professional accountability issues related to human rights work.

Assessment

Seminar Participation - 10%
Presentation - 10%
Clinic Performance - 80%

Resources

There are no recommended or prescribed texts for this course.
Faculty of Law

Study Levels

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