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Contemporary Political and Social Theory (POLS40001)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines contemporary debates in political and social theory with a particular focus on developments within and challenges to liberal democracy. Initially these challenges will be framed in terms of theories of postmodernity and a series of related perspectives including: Feminism, Multiculturalism, and Postcolonialism. From this basis, similar dynamics within several strands of Marxist theory (including postmarxism and critical theory) will also be examined and compared with the dominant liberal democratic tradition. Recent Liberal responses in Deliberative Democratic theory that highlight democratic methods of political renewal for complex, pluralistic societies will then be examined focusing in particular on the way that they address key contemporary problems like violence, disagreement and incivility all within the context of the global context of political thinking today. The subject concludes by evaluating recent radical democratic theories which are concerned with establishing new ethical frameworks through which we can rethink democracy and politics.
Intended learning outcomes
- understand the major challenges to liberal democracy in contemporary political theory.
- be able to explain the implications for political theory of recent social and cultural phenomena such as postmodernism and globalization.
- Understand the various challenges of pluralism these new dynamics bring through theories like Feminism, Multiculturalism and Postcolonialism.
- grasp theories of democratic renewal such as those associated with deliberative democracy and radical democracy.
- comprehend the growth of pluralistic interpretations of complex societies in relation to political conflict and disagreement.
- be able to explain the reasons behind the emergence of radical theories of democracy and their implications for political ethics.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- possess the ability to explain and analyse complex ideas in a lucid fashion;
- be capable or organising their work into a coherent structured argument;
- be able to identify and access relevant research to the topic;
- display evidence of an analytical approach to theoretical debates;
- be able to explain the implications of theories for practical politics;
- demonstrate a thorough and critical understanding of the literature relevant to the topic.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A book review of 1000 words (20%) chosen from a selection of texts provided by the subject coordinator, due during semester.
- A research essay of 4000 words (80%) due during the examination period.
- Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in class is required.
- Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Clayton Chin Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A 2-hour seminar per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022