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Sex, Race, Species and Social Justice (UNIB30007)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 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
Prof Jeanette Hoorn
Overview
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This subject will investigate how gender, sex and race influence the operation of social justice in everyday life. It will also introduce the new area of justice for other species alongside the human. We begin by examining the origins of the concept of social justice in classical texts such as Plato’s Republic before considering the emergence of international movements for social justice, such as universal suffrage, the abolition of slavery and the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights, before considering the impact of the concept of social justice in contemporary culture. In particular, we consider how gender, sex and race and speciesism relate to social justice and how this relationship is manifested in the humanities as well as in legal and medical discourses in Australia. We will examine the key biological, social, political and cultural factors that inform social justice in such areas as: gender equity, personal and sexual relationships; freedom of expression; equity in the workplace; health; human-animal relations, social change and the role of the media in the 21st century. We examine new developments in gender theory, medicine, law, literature and film and philosophy as well as the way in which globalisation impacts upon issues of social justice. The subject explores the work of national and international organizations that attempt to improve the lives of those who face discrimination because they do not conform to the dominant norms of gender, race and ethnicity. We look at the failures within the human rights movement and criticisms that have emerged over the last century. The representation of social justice in film forms a special focus.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should develop:
- a sound understanding of the subject’s key concepts (social justice, race, gender, sexuality, speciesism);
- an awareness of the crucial importance of approaching knowledge from an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural perspective.
Generic skills
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments, and communicate critically, theoretically, creatively and economically through, essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;
- engage in cross-disciplinary thinking and learning through incorporating methodologies from the humanities, social sciences, law and medicine in relation to a common theme driving research;
- conduct research through the competent use of libraries and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;
- relate knowledge across different disciplines from the humanities, social sciences, law and medicine;
- manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, essays and assignments;
- think creatively and express their ideas clearly in written and verbal communication.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
800-303 Sex, Race and Social Justice; UNIB30007 Sex, Race and Social Justice
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: 22 March 2024
Assessment
Additional details
A tutorial presentation equivalent to 500 words 10% (done during the semester), a 1500 word class paper 40% (due during the semester), a 2000 word research essay 50% (due in the examination period). This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance, regular participation in tutorials is required. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Barbara Creed Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A 2.5-hour seminar per week plus occasional film screenings (2.5-hours) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Prof Jeanette Hoorn
Time commitment details
Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.
Last updated: 22 March 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available from the University bookshop and a comprehensive online database of reference materials will be available through the LMS.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 22 March 2024