Human rights - XM0016
Human rights
Print & ShareLearn about human rights
We explore human rights law, practice and activism, which are among the most widely accepted approaches to addressing harms suffered by humans worldwide. We look at issues such as torture, hunger, military aggression, ethnic violence, political corruption and discrimination.
Why study human rights?
You’ll examine the nature and legitimacy of human rights’ claims and the role of human rights in the broader context of international affairs. You’ll investigate critical issues: Is torture ever justified? What are the rights of asylum seekers? Does the world have a responsibility for misplaced peoples? Can human rights violations justify interfering in the domestic affairs of the violating nation?
This area of study is offered in the following courses or can be taken where you have 8 free electives. To see if you can take this area of study within a double degree select from the course offering below.
- Arts
- Arts and Criminology
- Arts and Fine Art
- Arts and Music
- Business Administration and Arts
- Business and Arts
- Commerce and Arts
- Education and Arts
- Engineering and Arts
- Information Technology and Arts
- International Business and Arts
- Laws and Arts
- Liberal Arts
- Marketing and Arts
- Politics, Philosophy and Economics and Arts
- Science and Arts

Career options
- Politics
- Advocacy
- Law
- Non-government organisations (NGOs)
- Journalism
- Diplomacy

Overseas opportunities
As a Monash student you have the option to make your course an international one. One option is studying at a Monash campus abroad, and you'll have Malaysia, India, China or Prato (Italy) to choose from.

"Approaching the third year [of study], I felt it was important to expand my learning beyond academic papers and lectures. Arts internships offered me this opportunity to enhance my degree and embrace a practical approach to learning."
- Tess Vermeer, Bachelor of Arts majoring in Human Rights