Technology and Power in World Politics (POLS90051)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | March |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will introduce students to theoretical approaches that move beyond stale technological determinist or instrumentalist approaches – the dominant traditional take on technology within politics and international relations – to outline new work that stresses the socially constructed and inherently political nature of technological objects. It will offer students clear outlines of the main emerging theoretical approaches to the politics of technology, discussing approaches such as the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT), Actor-Network Theory (ANT), the Critical Theory of Technology, and poststructuralist engagements such as the ‘New Materialism’ in order to give students the theoretical background to approach the politics of technology in a sophisticated manner. It aims to introduce students to different approaches to technology in global politics through a survey of traditional and emerging theoretical approaches to this subject matter and, in turn, how such theoretical approaches can be used to analysis the diverse international political processes of Internet governance, the Revolution in Military Affairs, Nuclear Weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction, Technologies of the Global Economy, and the technological politics of climate change.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- gain knowledge of the different theoretical approaches to understanding technology within social theory and International Relations; and
- have an awareness of technological determinism, path dependency and their place in analyzing global politics; and
- demonstrate how different theories approach and analyze the politics of technology in specific issue areas; how different concepts have different political implications; and
- learn how to structure and present an argument in both oral and written communication; the appropriate use of evidence to support an argument; the development of research skills.
Generic skills
Student who successfully complete this subject should:
- demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills; and
- demonstrate the ability to craft a logical, well-structured, and empirically support argument; and
- demonstrate the ability to critically examine theoretical concepts and how concepts are employed in concrete analysis; and
- illustrate the ability to employ theoretical concepts in empirical analysis in their own work.
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
International relations, international history, political science/theory, sociology (Science & Tech. Studies)
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: 30 October 2023
Assessment
Additional details
- Essay, 2,000 words, (40%), due in week 6 of the teaching period.
- Essay, 3,000 words, (60%), due in the examination period.
- Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Dates & times
- March
Principal coordinator Daniel McCarthy Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours: A 3-hour seminar per week for 8 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 3 May 2019 Last self-enrol date 15 March 2019 Census date 29 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2019 Assessment period ends 7 June 2019 March contact information
Time commitment details
170 Hours
Last updated: 30 October 2023
Further information
- Texts
- Links to additional information
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 30 October 2023