Power

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The idea of power is a way to grasp the character of social relations. Investigating power can tell us about who is in control and who may benefit from such arrangements. Power can be a zero-sum game of domination. It can also be about people acting together to enact freedom. This subject examines the diverse and subtle ways power may be exercised. It considers how power operates in different domains such as markets, political systems and other social contexts. It also examines how power may be moderated by such things as regulation and human rights. A key aim is to explore how differing perspectives portray power relations and how issues of power distribution may be characterised and addressed.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of the way power is exercised and operates, including key concepts and principles;

• apply appropriate critical skills and methodologies to the analysis of national and international debates on power;

• identify and engage with common methods of research in the humanities and social sciences;

• approach critical debates in the humanities and social sciences with intellectual honesty, self-reflection and a respect for ethical scholarship;

• identify the strengths and weaknesses of scholarly arguments;

• communicate knowledge and arguments effectively in oral and written formats;

• work effectively, in groups and independently, to identify, discuss and critically analyse key issues in the humanities and social sciences.

A 500 word bibliographic exercise (15%) due in Week 5, a 2000 word essay (45%) due in Week 9, and a 1500 word take-home exam (40%) due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has an attendance hurdle requirement of 75% tutorial attendance (9 out of 12 tutorials) and 100% skills workshop attendance (3 out of 3 skills workshops). Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.