LLIR9502 Issues in Human Security

2016

4.5

1 Admission into MLAWILIR-Master of Laws (International Law and International Relations)
1a Admission into BLAWLPRH-Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (Honours)
1b Admission into BLAWLPRGH-Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice (Graduate Entry) (Honours)
1c Admission into MLAWILR-Master of Laws (International Law and International Relations)
1d Admission into MLAWILIRA-Master of Laws (International Law and International Relations) [1.5 years]
1e Admission into JD-Juris Doctor
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e))

Human security emerged in the 1990s as an alternative to the traditional state-based national security paradigm. It is based on the idea that individuals, rather than states, should be the primary referent point for security. The provision of security for civilian populations is a legal and political responsibility of both the state and the international state system. This topic will review the academic and policy debates around whether threats to human security should be narrowly (the freedom from fear agenda) or broadly (the freedom from want agenda) defined. This topic will also focus on the branches of international law that seek to ensure human security including the international protection of human rights, refugee law, and international development as well as recent developments at the UN level including the protection of civilians agenda and the Responsibility to Protect doctrine.

This topic aims to:

• develop their critical understanding of the academic literature on the development of human security and what constitutes threats to human security

• become familiar with the international institutional framework of human security including mandates of UN protection agencies - UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights & UNICEF- as well as the role of governments and non-government organisations

• develop an appreciation of the philosophical and legal bases for the protection and promotion of human rights and refugee protection at the international level

• become familiar with the human development agenda as part of the freedom from want aspect of human security

Students who successfully complete this topic will be able to:

• describe and provide an analytical overview of the philosophical and legal bases of human security

• articulate their understanding of the difficulties facing the international community with respect to the protection and promotion of human security

• work effectively as a member of a team

• communicate clearly and effectively in both written and oral tasks