Theories of Modernity

Subject SOTH40001 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, 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: one 2 hour seminar per week of semester
Total Time Commitment: An average of 10 hours each week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to 4th year honours or postgraduate diploma in Anthropology and Social Theory; a postgraduate diploma or fourth-year combined honours in Social Theory, or a masters program with permission of the subject coordinator.

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Knowledge gained in succesful completion of a 3 year Bachelor of Arts Degree or equivalent.

Non Allowed Subjects:

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.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request 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/

Contact

Assoc Prof 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 successfully 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) The Philosophy of Money (G.Simmel) Discipline and Punish (M. Foucault)
Recommended Texts:	All that is Solid Melts into Air (M. Berman)
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	Students who successfully 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.
Links to further information:	http://www.pasi.unimelb.edu.au/social-theory/
Related Course(s):	Master of Arts in Social Theory (Advanced Seminars and Shorter Thesis)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Anthropology Anthropology and Social Theory Cultural Studies Gender Studies Gender Studies Gender Studies Social Theory Social Theory Social Theory Sociology Sociology Sociology

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