Change & Conflict in Australian Society

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

None

None

Politics and International Studies or Sociology at Levels 1 & 2

672-365 Change and Conflict in Australian Society

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/

This subject studies the role of social movements in bringing about change in Australian society in the past half century. It considers the general issues raised by the problem of social change and political conflict. How and why do political changes occur? If social movements did not exist, would societies need to invent them? It examines the development, demands and achievements of the principal Australian social movements in the past 50 years and the reactions to them: labour, indigenous, women's, homosexual, green, multiculturalism and migrant support, anti-war and anti-globalisation. It considers also the role of the major political parties in reaction to these movements.

• understand the major theoretical approaches to the study of social movements.
• express familiarity with the development and political arguments of the principal movements for change within Australian society and of the opposition to them.
• think critically about the problem of social change in the study of political science.

An essay of 3000 words (75%) due mid-semester, and a 1000 word reflective essay (25%) during the examination period.

This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% 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.

Required readings will be available electronically on the subject LMS site

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays.
• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations.
• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion.
• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision.
• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students