Crisis, Culture and Resistance (ANTH30023)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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The first decades of the 21st century have been characterized by intensifying economic, social, political, and environmental crises. From the collapse of national economies struggling under insurmountable debt to the ravages of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, communities all over the world are responding to these challenges in ways that are both radical and quotidian. In this subject, we draw on interdisciplinary scholarship on social movements to consider both contemporary and historical responses to a range of differently experienced crises. Why have these movements organized in the ways that they have and at the times that they have? What social norms, assumptions, and practices have they sought to challenge? What cultural resources have they built upon and/or reconfigured? And how have they sought to prevent the co-optation and commodification of cultural symbols by powerful interests? Through close readings of ethnographic work on a range of social movements (including anti-colonial, anti-racist, labor, environmental, Indigenous, and anti-corporate), we explore how subaltern struggles have been represented, articulated, and operationalized in recent years. In particular, we consider the figure of the 'activist anthropologist,' asking questions about the forms of critique and participation in which ethnographers of social movements are increasingly engaged.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should:



  • Be able to compare diverse anthropological and sociological approaches to the study of both overt and everyday resistance, particularly in relation to moments of economic, political, and environmental crisis
  • Have an appreciation of the diverse ways that 'culture' has figured in a range of protest movements, both contemporary and historical (including anti-colonial, anti-racist, labor, environmental, Indigenous, and anti-corporate struggles)
  • Be fluent in the major theoretical approaches to the study of subaltern resistance including post-Marxism, post-colonialism, feminism, and critical race studies
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical and methodological challenges of studying social movements, with a particular focus on the strengths, limitations, and challenges of 'activist anthropology.'

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

ANTH20006 Culture Change and Protest Movements

Recommended background knowledge

Anthropology, Social Theory at level 1

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: 14 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Two tutorial papers (15% each)

  • 500 words (each)
During the teaching period30%

An essay

  • 3000 words
During the examination period70%
Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.Throughout the semesterN/A

Additional details

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: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorAdrian Watts
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours30 hours - 1.5 hour lecture and 1 hr tutorial per week for 12 weeks
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period27 February 2023 to 28 May 2023
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2023
    Census date31 March 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023
    Assessment period ends23 June 2023

    Semester 1 contact information

    Email: adrian.watts@unimelb.edu.au

     

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

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  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 14 March 2025