The Critical Imagination

Subject SOTH40003 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2011.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 (1x 2 hour seminar each week)
Total Time Commitment: An average of 10 hours each week.
Prerequisites: None.
Corequisites: None.
Recommended Background Knowledge: Students enrolling in this subject must have completed a Bachelor of arts degree or equivalent.
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 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

Associate Professor John Rundell

johnfr@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject explores the three currents that social and critical theorising grows out of: the Enlightenment, revolutionary tradition and romanticism. It critically assesses these currents through an examination of the works of key classical critical and social theorists. Students completing this subject should have developed an understanding of the central ideas of key thinkers in the social and critical theory tradition among them, Kant, Schiller, Hegel, Marx and Nietzsche. and developed an understanding of some of the key issues and theories including their critiques of modernity.
Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course should

  • 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.
Assessment:

A research essay of 4000 words, 55% (due during the examination period), and a class paper of 1000 words, 45% due during the semester.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Prescribed Texts:
  • The Imaginery Institution of Society. (C. Castoriadis)
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
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
Social Theory
Social Theory
Social Theory

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