Reading Texts in Social Theory

Subject SOTH90004 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2016.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 24 contact hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks.
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Students enrolling in this subject must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.

Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

To be advised

Subject Overview:

This subject is designed to provide students with a detailed familiarity with the works of at least one of the major classical social theorists. Students who complete this subject should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of at least one significant social theorist or theoretical tradition, have developed the READING and analytical skills for such comprehension and understanding which can be readily used for other texts and subject matter, and have established a basis for postgraduate research if desired.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who have completed this subject will:

  • have knowledge of the major ideas and theories of one major tradition of social theory;
  • have background in one major tradition of social theory on which to base further research and study in the area;
  • have experience of thinking systematically about difficult intellectual problems of an abstract nature;
  • have practice conducting research, speaking articulately, writing clearly and reading with attention to detail;
  • have experience with methods of critical analysis and argument employed in one major tradition of social theory, leading to improved general reasoning and analytical skills;
  • be able to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of at least one significant social theorist or theoretical tradition;
  • gain an awareness of the selected philosophical and theoretical tradition, through which this debate has been generated;
  • establish a basis for postgraduate research if desired.
Assessment:
  • A class paper of 1000 words (45%) due 2 weeks after the class paper is presented in the seminar.
  • An essay of 4000 words (55%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:
  • The Grundrisse. (K. Marx)
  • The Philosophy of Money. (G. Simmel)
  • The Gift. (M. Mauss)
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • develop skills in written and oral communication;
  • conduct independent research;
  • make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument;
  • form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Cultural Studies
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Social Theory
Graduate Certificate in Arts (Advanced) - Sociology
Graduate Certificate in Arts - Social Theory
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Anthropology
Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Cultural Studies
Graduate Diploma of Arts (Advanced) - Social Theory
Graduate Diploma of Arts (Advanced) - Sociology
MA (AS&&ST) Social Theory
PC-ARTS Cultural Studies
PC-ARTS Social Theory
PC-ARTS Sociology
PD-ARTS Anthropology
PD-ARTS Cultural Studies
PD-ARTS Social Theory
PD-ARTS Sociology
Sociology

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