Program Overview

Course Profile

General Course Information

The course code is LLAW3068, and the course name is Rights of the Child in International and Domestic Law. This course is offered under the LLB Programme in the second semester. It is designated as a research course, with no prerequisites or co-requisites. The course is not offered to non-law students and is worth 6 credits.

Course Description

The international human rights framework protects the rights of all individuals, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as children. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is one of the most widely ratified international human rights instruments, but its implementation varies across different jurisdictions. This course examines the origins of children's rights, the UNCRC framework, and its implementation in diverse contexts. It adopts a comparative approach to identify best practices and understand the gaps in the implementation of the UNCRC in different jurisdictions.

The course covers various topics, including violence against children, bullying, abuse, and neglect, as well as peace and conflict in societies, forced marriage, juvenile justice, and children's freedom of expression, religion, and identity rights. It also explores the intersectionality of disadvantage and discrimination, particularly in relation to children living in poverty, minority groups, women and girls, and individuals with disabilities.

Course Teachers

• Name: Puja Kapai
• Office: CCT 609
• Consultation: By appointment

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

1. Acquire knowledge of relevant theories about the conceptualization of children's rights, the terminology, instruments, and concepts of international and domestic law pertaining to children's rights.
2. Develop a working knowledge of the core principles and mechanisms underlying the relevant international treaties and provisions in different legal systems to implement children's rights.
3. Understand the different aspects of children's rights addressed within the Hong Kong legal system and evaluate existing gaps and potential reforms using an international and comparative law lens.
4. Understand the multidisciplinary perspectives in relation to child protection as a matter of law and policy and the need for more effective integration into a systems-approach towards child-rights protection.
5. Synthesize international legal materials and jurisprudence, critically evaluate and identify approaches that could be adapted to address gaps and failings in Hong Kong's existing mechanisms for child-rights protection.

Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

The course learning outcomes are aligned with the programme learning outcomes, which include:

• PLO A
• PLO B
• PLO C
• PLO D
• PLO E
• PLO F

All course learning outcomes (CLO 1-5) are mapped to these programme learning outcomes.

Assessment

Assessment Summary

• Class participation and panel presentations: 15%
• Reaction paper: 20%
• Research paper: 65%

The feedback methods include a general course report, individual feedback, individual review meetings, group review meetings, and in-class verbal feedback.

Assessment Detail

To be advised by the course convenor(s).

Grading Criteria

To be advised by the course convenor(s).

Learning Activities

Learning Activity Plan

• Seminar: 3 hours/week for 12 teaching weeks
• Private study time: 9.5 hours/week for 12 teaching weeks

The normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours, which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of the classroom.

Details of Learning Activities

To be advised by the course convenor(s).

Learning Resources

• Reading materials: Posted on Moodle
• Core reading list: To be advised
• Recommended reading list: To be advised