LAW 3514 - Human Rights Internship Programme

The course places students in 'internships' with human rights organisations located internationally and nationally for a period of three months. The internships enable students to build on their understanding of the theory of human rights law by gaining an appreciation of its practical operation. The course aims to give depth and context to students' existing knowledge of human rights law.

During the internship, the students will be required to complete an agreed research task under the supervision of a senior person at the chosen human rights organisation. This research task might involve research into a specific area of law or policy for the purpose of a 'test-case' being run in the courts, for the drafting of a report, or the preparation of educational material. The research task will be negotiated by the student and the organisation, with the approval and supervision of the course coordinator. It is expected that students will also be involved in the day-to-day activities of the organisation and gain an understanding of how such organisations operate.

Prior to commencement, students will be given orientation to introduce them to the strategies and procedures generally employed by human rights organisations. The seminars will be conducted by the course convener in conjunction with practitioners in the field.