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Inequalities: Causes and Consequences (UNIB20021)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
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High and rising inequality both between and within countries represents a global grand challenge with significant economic, social, environmental and health implications. This interdisciplinary subject introduces concepts and theories from population health, the humanities, sociology, economics, geography, criminology and education to explore contemporary and historical trends and debates. It will be delivered by scholars and eminent guest speakers from varied backgrounds and areas of expertise and focus on understanding causes, consequences, and potential means of tackling inequalities, inequities and injustices from a range of disciplinary perspectives. Students will gain insights into different disciplinary approaches to understanding and addressing inequality and be encouraged to reflect on the ways in which inequalities affect individuals, communities, societies and nations and on their own positions with respect to relative power, privilege and capacity for action.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Apply an intersectional lens when analysing contemporary inequalities, which demonstrates understanding of the ways in which attributes such as gender, race, ethnicity and indigeneity intersect with each other and corresponding forms of discrimination to produce and reproduce disadvantage and privilege.
  • Compare and critically analyse the ways in which different disciplinary perspectives frame the causes and consequences of, and approaches to tackling, inequalities on a local and global scale.
  • Identify, categorise and synthesise information and data associated with the broad array of political, economic, geographical, historical and social factors that converge to produce place-based disadvantage and advantage
  • Demonstrate capacity to communicate with peers from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds.
  • Critically reflect on the ways in which inequalities affect individuals, communities, societies and nations and on their own positions with respect to relative power, privilege and capacity for action.

Generic skills

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

  • Access data and other relevant information from a range of sources
  • Integrate knowledge from different disciplines
  • Apply skills in visual observation and analysis
  • Participate in productive tutorial discussions with peers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines
  • Recognise and reflect on the ethical responsibilities of individuals and organisations in responding to global challenges

Last updated: 12 May 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 12 May 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Reflective journal to include entries covering a minimum of 6 of the weekly topics. Individual entries may vary in length with the total word length for the journal being 1500 words. Completed throughout teaching period and submitted in examination period.

  • 1500 words
During the examination period35%

Place-based comparative observation report

  • 1500 words
Week 935%

Case study essay

  • 1000 words
Week 520%

Tutorial participation and oral presentation

Hurdle requirement: Tutorial participation will be assessed by noting attendance and meaningful participation in tutorials (including a short (5 minute) informal oral presentation based on a journal entry for each student and contributions to tutorial and small group discussions)		Throughout the teaching period10%

Last updated: 12 May 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorKaren Block
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours36 hours: 2-hour lecture and 1-hour tutorial per week throughout semester
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022
    Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022
    Census date31 August 2022
    Last date to withdraw without fail23 September 2022
    Assessment period ends18 November 2022

    Semester 2 contact information

    Karen Block (Subject Coordinator)

    keblock@unimelb.edu.au

Last updated: 12 May 2023

Further information

Last updated: 12 May 2023