Theories of Modernity

Subject 136-430 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

*

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 2 hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment: *
Prerequisites: Admission to 4th year honours or postgraduate diploma in Anthropology and Social Theory, the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year combined honours in Social Theory, or a masters program and permission of the subject coordinator.
Corequisites: *
Recommended Background Knowledge: *
Non Allowed Subjects: *
Core Participation Requirements: *

Coordinator

Dr John Rundell
Subject Overview:

In this subject images of the 'city', 'progress', 'public' and 'nation' will be used to establish some of the features of modernity. The way modernity is understood will also be explored through various critical theories of modernity. Students completing this subject should have developed an understanding of the major conceptual debates concerning the meaning of modernity; gained an awareness of the selected philosophical and theoretical traditions through which this debate has been generated; and demonstrated this understanding through a critical engagement with the historical and theoretical literature.

Assessment: A class paper of 1000 words 45% (due a fortnight after the class paper is presented in the seminar), an essay of 4000 words 55% (due on the final day of semester).
Prescribed Texts: Prescribed Texts:The City (M. Weber)
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • 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.
Notes:

Formerly available as 136-080 and as 136-533. Students who have completed 136-080 or 136-533 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Related Course(s): Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development)
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Social Theory)
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Sociology)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Anthropology and Social Theory)

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