Modernity Revolution to Social Movements

Subject SOTH20002 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 1, Parkville - 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

Standard

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1-hour lecture and 1.5-hour seminar per week.
Total Time Commitment: An average of 8.5 hours each week.
Prerequisites: 25 points of 1st year Arts subjects.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: No specific background knowledge is required for this subject.
Non Allowed Subjects: Previously available as 136-251/351. Previously available at 3rd year with the code 672-322. Students who have completed 672-322 or 136-251 or 136-351 are not permitted to enrol in this subject.
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering requests 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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof John Rundell

Contact

Associate Professor John Rundell

johnfr@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject is primarily concerned with the ideas about society that have anchored the disciplines of sociology and social theory in the 19th and 20th centuries. It critically assesses these ideas through an examination of the works of key social theorists. Students completing this subject should have developed an understanding of the central ideas of key thinkers in the social-theoretical tradition, among them, Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel and Freud. and developed an understanding of some central issues and themes about society such as power, culture, structure and self through a critical engagement with the work of these thinkers.

Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • have knowledge of the major ideas and theories of classical and contemporary social theory.
  • have background in the social theoretical traditions 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 the social theoretical traditions, leading to improved general reasoning and analytical skills.
  • develop an understanding of the central ideas of key thinkers in the social-theoretical tradition, among Marx, Durkheim, Weber, Simmel and Freud.
  • develop an understanding of some central issues and themes about society such as power, culture, structure and self through a critical engagement of the work of these thinkers.
Assessment: A literature review of 1000 words 40% (due early in semester), a class paper of 500 words based on tutorial discussion 10% (due at the end of semester) and an essay of 2500 words 50% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be produced for this subject and will be available in the bookshop at the start of semester.

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

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

Students who successfully complete this subject should...

  • develop skills in written and oral communication.

  • be able to conduct independent research.

  • be able to make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument.

  • be able to form defensible judgements based on a critical evaluation of conflicting arguments.

Links to further information: http://www.pasi.unimelb.edu.au/social-theory/
Notes: This subject satisfies the third-year breadth requirement for third-year students in the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedicine when taken in 2010 only.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Anthropology && Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Anthropology and Social Theory
Philosophy and Social Theory
Social Theory
Social Theory Major
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology Major

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