Texts and Violence

Subject 191-438 (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:

July, - 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: July 9, 10, 13, 14, 15. This subject will be taught as an intensive program from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission to the postgraduate certificate/ diploma or fourth-year honours in criminology, socio-legal studies or sociology, Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy and Management or Master of Social Policy (100-point programs).
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

Coordinator

Ms Kirsty Duncanson

Contact

Prof. Alison Young
ayoung@unimelb.edu.au
Subject Overview: Violence is an issue of great social, individual and cultural concern. This subject investigates some of the ways in which violence is represented, talked about, and interpreted. The subject focuses on two issues: how to interpret textual representations of violence (such as those in newspapers, legal discourse, literature, art, and social policy); and how to analyze the significance of textual representations of violence in the context of policy-making, preventing and responding to violence. The subject includes an emphasis on interpretive and analytical skills, covering discourse analysis, aspects of literary criticism, techniques of newspaper analysis, and understanding legal discourse. The subject engages with violence in a range of forms, including domestic violence, sexual assault, terrorism and the Holocaust. In case studies and readings, there will be a focus on violence and trauma (whether individual or collective), problems of memory and commemoration after violence, and the difficulties of doing justice to the experience of victimization.
Objectives:
  • Be able to critically analyze textual representations of violence;
  • Be able to conduct library research on textual representations of violence;
  • Be able to understand the implications of textual representations of violence;
  • Be able to write critically and analytically about textual representations of violence.
Assessment: A 1500 word critical analysis of one of the theory and method topics covered in the subject, together with relevant reading, due mid-semester (30%); a 3500 word essay on a case study covered in the course or on a relevant topic agreed in consultation with the course coordinator, due at the end of semester (70%).
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available from the University Bookshop
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Have highly developed cognitive, analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Have an advanced understanding of complex concepts and the ability to express them lucidly in writing and orally;
  • Have sophisticated awareness of cultural, ethnic and gender diversities and their implications;
  • Have an ability to plan work and to use time effectively.
Notes: Formerly available as 191-438. Students who have completed 191-438 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.
Related Course(s): Master of Criminology (CWT)
Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Master of Social Policy
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Criminology
Criminology
Socio-Legal studies
Socio-legal Studies

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