Imagined Societies

Subject 136-431 (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 1, - 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

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Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: *
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: Combined Honours in Social Theory, Honours in Anthropology and Social Theory, Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Social Theory), Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Social Theory).
Non Allowed Subjects: *
Core Participation Requirements: *

Coordinator

Dr John Cash
Subject Overview: This subject critically engages with questions regarding the place of subjectivity in the constitution and organisation of social and political relations, at both the theoretical and empirical levels. It involves the study of political subjectivities, including race, gender and ethnicity. By engagement with such theorists as Lacan, Castoriadis, Kristeva, Foucault, Giddens and Habermas, the subject highlights the place of the imaginary and the unconscious in the formation of ideologies and subjectivities. Students who complete this subject should possess knowledge of some major contemporary debates regarding the formation and organisation of subjectivities; an understanding of the centrality of subjectivity to the organisation of social and political relations; an awareness of the difficulties associated with analysing subjectivities in late or postmodernity; and an acquaintance with some attempts to bring contemporary theories of subjectivity to the study of empirical cases.
Assessment: An oral presentation of a 600 word seminar paper 10%, a research essay of 4400 words (due during the examination period), class participation and contribution 10%.
Prescribed Texts: *
Recommended Texts: *
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.
Related Course(s): Master of Development Studies (Gender & Development)
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (Sociology)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Anthropology and Social Theory)

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