166-123 The World is an Amazing Place

Formerly available as 166-009. Students who have completed 166-009 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This subject addresses the problems posed in the attempt to understand cultures other than one's own. It focuses principally on the non-West and the explanatory role of categories such as race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, progress and development. Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to demonstrate a knowledge of some of the issues raised by the attempt to study another culture; understand and assess a range of arguments which seek to expand the meaning of the political; understand how, and by whom, a culture is represented in a variety of texts, including novels, film and scholarly works; develop relevant knowledge and skills on which to base further studies in politics or cultural studies; and demonstrate an improved facility in researching and writing essays and presenting arguments in class.