Unit rationale, description and aim
Human trafficking is considered one of the fastest-growing illicit businesses, after arms and drugs. This unit introduces the context of human trafficking, history, and complexity as a transnational organised crime. This unit begins by helping students to identify and describe different types of trafficking such as sex, labour, and child and organ trafficking. Traffickers use different strategies to exploit victims to fulfill their purposes and those means of exploitation differ from country to country. This unit also explores the issue of exploitation and vulnerability from different theoretical angles such as Feminist, Marxist, and Critical Race theory.
Students will also be introduced to the international and regional legal frameworks and state responsibilities to combat human trafficking. It will also address the contemporary responses undertaken by Australia as a destination country. The central focus of this unit will be the rights of trafficked victims and their status both in destination and source countries. Finally, students will become familiar with the responses of international organisations and NGOs, which are more active than the state in working against trafficking. Students will learn how NGOs can effectively support victims, or work with the state actors.
The aim of the unit is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices relating to human trafficking offences and the rights of trafficked victims.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Crtically examine the context of human trafficking...
Learning Outcome 01
Comparative analysis and understand the rights of ...
Learning Outcome 02
Evaluate critically the contemporary responses and...
Learning Outcome 03
Conduct guided basic research by identifying and a...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- The context of Human Trafficking: Transnational Organised Crime
- Types of Exploitation and Case Studies : Sex, Labour and Child Trafficking
- Human, Organ Trafficking and Illegal Organ Transplantation : The Definitional debates
- Human trafficking, Illegal Migration and Refugees
- Theory and vulnerability to Human Trafficking
- State Responsibility and International Criminal Law
- State Responsibility and International Human Rights Law
- Regional Response to Human Exploitation
- Australia's response to Human Trafficking
- The Needs of Victims
- Criminalising Victims and the Principle of Non -Punishment
- Role of International Organisations and NGOs against Human Trafficking
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy for this unit progressively builds on students’ critical understanding of human trafficking and works to develop their research and communication skills. Weekly discussion forum posts provide ongoing formative feedback and enable students to engage with definitional debates, contextual issues, and contemporary responses, ensuring steady progress toward key learning outcomes. The individual oral presentation develops students’ capacity to research, analyse, and communicate the rights of trafficked victims in both source and destination countries, while also encouraging peer reflection to broaden perspectives. Together, these assessments are aligned with the unit’s learning outcomes and graduate capabilities, equipping students with the analytical, research, and communication skills needed for advanced study in human trafficking.
To pass the unit, students must achieve an overall mark of at least 50%. The final grade will be based on the total marks from all assessment items completed. While you don’t have to complete every assessment item, only the assessments you submit will contribute to your final grade.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1 – Interactive Discussion Forum Asses...
Assessment 1 – Interactive Discussion Forum Assessments
Details: This assessment comprises weekly discussion forum posts designed to promote active learning within the complexities of human trafficking. Students are required to critically examine assigned readings, lecture materials, and case studies, while incorporating independent research to support their analyses. Posts should demonstrate understanding of the context, classifications, and definitional debates of human trafficking, as well as consideration of victim rights in both source and destination countries. Students must reference sources appropriately, engage respectfully with peers, and apply evidence-based reasoning to uphold academic integrity. The forums provide structured opportunities for reflection, academic feedback, and peer learning to ensure that knowledge is actively constructed. Students will be required to submit a portfolio of their forum responses at the end of the semester which will also include a reflection.
Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is to facilitate deep learning and the development of critical analytical skills in the study of human trafficking. Through weekly discussion posts, students will critically examine definitional debates and classifications of trafficking (LO1), compare the rights of trafficked victims across different contexts (LO2), and evaluate contemporary state responses and responsibilities (LO3). The requirement to integrate independent research, provide reasoned argumentation, and engage with peers ensures that students consolidate knowledge, apply theory to practice, and maintain academic integrity throughout the unit.
Format: Weekly discussion forum posts and reflection.
10%
Assessment 2: Individual Oral Presentation Deta...
Assessment 2: Individual Oral Presentation
Details: This assessment requires students to demonstrate effective oral communication skills. It also requires students to critically evaluate the rights of human trafficking victims in both destination and source countries. Students are required to research and present their findings to the class. They will also have the opportunity to compare and reflect on each other’s work.
Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is to develop and evaluate students’ ability to communicate effectively while engaging with complex legal issues. It requires students to research and critically evaluates the rights of human trafficking victims in both source and destination countries, and to present their findings in a clear manner. The task also provides opportunities for peer comparison and reflection, supporting deeper understanding of diverse perspectives and approaches.
Format: Oral Presentation
50%
Assessment 3: Written Research Response Details ...
Assessment 3: Written Research Response
Details: This assessment develops skills around evaluating state responsibilities and domestic and international legal frameworks related to human exploitation. Students require to select a particular country and investigate in depth how that country complies with international standards.
Purpose: The purpose of this assessment is to develop students’ ability to critically evaluate state responsibilities and the application of domestic and international legal frameworks related to human exploitation. It requires students to conduct in-depth research on a specific country and assess its compliance with international standards. The task fosters analytical skills, legal reasoning, and the capacity to connect theoretical frameworks with practical, real-world examples.
40%
This Unit requires you to use the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition referencing system. Please see: Library Guide: APA 7 - Referencing - Library guides at Australian Catholic University (acu.edu.au)
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
The strategy is to encourage students to actively engage with unit content and their peers; to provide a clear link between lecture content to develop an authentic, case-based understanding of human exploitation and related laws and policies. Within an integrated learning framework, lectures will provide core content relating to the topics identified above and begin a process of active, engaged, exploration which will be deepened by detailed explanations and further investigation in classes.
This unit helps students to develop their knowledge of human trafficking laws and policies (including international, domestic, and regional). Students are then encouraged to critically analyse implementation by examining case studies and state practices. Each component is intended to build on knowledge, understanding, and skills to progressively scaffold student learning.
The online learning platform used in this unit provides multiple preparatory and practice opportunities to guide in-class and out-of-class study. Online learning assistance in the form of learning resources, notices, and assessment information (including online submission, marking, and return of results/feedback), is student-focused, affording greater accessibility and flexibility to the learning experience.