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Imagined Societies (SOTH40002)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Not available in 2019
Overview
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This subject critically engages with questions regarding the place of subjectivity in the organisation of social and political relations, at both the theoretical and empirical levels. It investigates the ways in which discourses and subjectivities interact. Through critical engagement with such theorists as Freud, Klein, Lacan, Castoriadis, Kristeva, Butler, Zizek, Fanon, Nandy, Beck, Bauman, Giddens and Habermas, the subject highlights the place of the imaginary and the unconscious in the formation of ideologies and subjectivities. Through postcolonial theory issues of colonial and postcolonial identities are explored. Students completing this subject should possess knowledge of some major contemporary debates regarding the formation and organisation of subjectivities, an understanding of the centrality of subjectivity to the organisation of social and political relations, an awareness of the difficulties associated with analysing subjectivities in late or postmodernity, and an acquaintance with attempts to bring contemporary theories of subjectivity to the study of empirical cases.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- possess knowledge of some major contemporary debates regarding the formation, structure and organisation of subjectivities;
- possess an understanding of the centrality of subjectivity to the organisation of social and political relations;
- possess an awareness of some contemporary approaches to the study of political subjectivities including ethnicity, race and gender;
- possess an awareness of the difficulties associated with analysing subjectivities in high or post-modernity;
- possess an acquaintance with some attempts to bring contemporary theories of subjectivity to the study of empirical cases, be these individuals, institutions, groups or societies.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students 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.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Students enrolling in this subject must have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent.
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
- Class participation and contribution (10%).
- An oral presentation and a 1000 word seminar paper (15%) due during the semester.
- A research essay of 4000 words (75%) 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
Not available in 2019
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:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Anthropology Specialisation (formal) Gender Studies Specialisation (formal) Anthropology Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation Gender Studies Informal specialisation Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation Sociology Specialisation (formal) Anthropology Informal specialisation Anthropology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Anthropology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Social Theory - 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.
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
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022