Story of Our Rights and Freedoms - Understanding Conciliation - Year 9 Civics

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this Finding Out lesson students will consider what discrimination is and how it can be addressed. They will read scenarios in which discrimination occurs and share their opinions in a group discussion. Students will read case studies of discrimination claims and consider points of view from both parties. Students will then explore the process of conciliation and when it can be effective.

Essential questions:

What options are available for resolving disputes besides the court system?
When is it appropriate to engage in conciliation?
What is the link between conciliation and rights and freedoms?

21st Century skills:

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions
Year 9 Civics and Citizenship:

Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts (ACHCS089)
Present evidence-based civics and citizenship arguments using subject-specific language (ACHCS088)

General capabilities: Literacy

Relevant parts of year 9 achievement standards: Students analyse a range of factors that influence identities and attitudes to diversity. They reflect on how groups participate and contribute to civic life. They compare and account for different interpretations and points of view on civics and citizenship issues. When planning for action, students take into account multiple perspectives, use democratic processes, and negotiate solutions to an issue. Students develop and present evidence-based arguments on civics and citizenship issues using appropriate texts, subject-specific language and concepts.

Topic: Human Rights

Unit of work: Story of Our Rights and Freedoms – Year 9

Time required: 120 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: High – read scenarios, facilitate student discussions.

Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student. Device capable of audio/visual presentation to present a website to the class. Understanding Discrimination Presentation. Conciliation or not? handout (printed, one per pair). Conciliation Case Studies handout (one per student). Glue, butcher’s paper (optional).

Keywords: rights, freedoms, discrimination, conciliation.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Overarching learning goal: Students will understand discrimination and the impact of discriminatory behaviour on people’s rights and freedoms. Students will be able to explain the conciliation process, and when it is an appropriate action to take to address discrimination.

Teacher content information:

Many countries have special protections for human rights in their domestic law. Some, like Canada and the USA, have a Bill of Rights as part of their Constitution which means that these rights are very strongly protected (because it is very difficult to alter the Constitution). However, Australia does not have a Bill of Rights and there is no single law that broadly protects human rights in Australia. Rather our human rights are protected by a variety of different laws including the Constitution, Commonwealth and state/territory legislation and common law. While the Australian government has been a longstanding supporter of the UN and was involved in the drafting of

...

- or - to view worksheets

Student Worksheet

Thought Starter: "Human diversity makes tolerance more than a virtue; it makes it a requirement for survival" - René Dubos

Read each of the case studies and use the table to take notes summarising your understanding:

Name of case	Complainant’s point of view	Respondent’s point of view	Outcome

Reflection

Name two things that you have learned about the conciliation process during the lesson:

What is your opinion about the relationship between conciliation and the protection of rights and freedoms?

...

- or - to view worksheets

Activity: Story of Our Rights and Freedoms – Understanding Conciliation – Year 9 Civics