ASC308 - Social Theory Rewired: Power, Passion and Post Humanism
Unit details
| Year: | 2023 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online, CBD* |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Vince Marotta |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | ASC101, ASC102 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ASC203, ASC408 |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
| Scheduled learning activities - campus: | 1 x 1-hour class per week, 1 x 1-hour seminar per week |
| Scheduled learning activities - online: | 1 x 1-hour class per week (recordings provided), 1 x 1-hour online seminar per week |
Note:*CBD refers to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute; Community Based Delivery | |
Content
The unit explores the nature of ‘the social’, ‘society’ and the individual in sociological thought. It introduces students to various approaches to society such as those advocated by neo-liberalism, feminism, critical race theories and queer theories. Drawing on posthumanist and intersectional framework we also examine contemporary social, political and economic issues.
- develop critical thinking through analytical and conceptual thought;
- practice interpretation of theoretical texts;
- demonstrate reasoned points of view;
- design and produce critical and evaluative written work;
- locate social theory within contemporary issues and critically evaluate the multiple understandings of the social.
| ULO | These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Define important concepts within sociological theory, such as ‘society’, the individual, the cyborg, post-humanism and the quantified and relational self | GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO2 | Analyse salient social theories of Karl Marx, Pierre Bourdieu, Dorothy Smith, Michele Foucault, Erving Goffman, Donna Haraway, Rosi Braidotti and Kimberlé Crenshaw | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO3 | Argue the strengths and weaknesses of different versions of the 'self' and the social and how inequalities can be understood through an intersectional lens | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO4 | Apply social theories to developments in contemporary society | GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO5 | Evaluate a range of sociological and critical theories of ‘the social’, critically examining their predictive implications in relation to relevant empirical evidence and counter-evidence | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO6 | Argue the value of sociological theory in deepening our understanding of society, the self and identity | GLO2: Communication |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 - Seminar/Online Exercises | 600 words or equivalent | 15% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2 - Essay | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 10 |
| Assessment 3 - Test | 1400 words or equivalent | 35% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning Resource
The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link ASC308
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
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