Theories of Modernity

Subject 136-430 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

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

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: one 2 hour seminar per week of semester
Total Time Commitment: 2 contact hours/week, 8 additional hours/week. Total of 10hours per week.

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:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

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 Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

 CoordinatorAssoc Prof John Rundell ContactDr John Rundell - johnfr@unimelb.edu.au 

Subject Overview:	In this subject images of the 'city', 'progress', 'the public' and 'the 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.
Objectives:	Students who sucessfully complete this subject will have knowledge of the major ideas and theories of classical and contemporary social theory with particular reference to the modernity debate; have background in 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 this area of social theory, leading to improved general reasoning and analytical skills; develop an understanding of the major conceptual debates concerning the meaning of modernity; gain an awareness of the selected philosophical and theoretical tradition, through which this debate has been generated; demonstrate 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:	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:	Students who sucessfully complete this subject will 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)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Anthropology Anthropology and Social Theory Cultural Studies Gender Studies Social Theory Social Theory Social Theory Sociology Sociology Sociology

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