121-107 Social Order and Social Change

This subject explores the variety of ways in which human behaviour and institutions are both constrained by and transcend environments and our shared nature as human beings. The major focus of the subject is an exploration of the dynamic interaction between processes of order and change in social life and its effects on how people experience the different worlds they inhabit. Important topics to be considered include the relationship between the global and the local, the transformative aspects of ritual experience, the persistence of kinship relations and religious ideologies, and the politics of identity. There is a regional emphasis on Australia and the Pacific.

• have practice in conducting research, speaking and writing clearly and reading carefully;

• have experience of methods of critical inquiry and argument leading to improved analytical skills;

• have acquired awareness of issues relating to cross-cultural communication.

Written work totalling 4000 words comprising two oral tutorial presentations (due in weeks chosen by the student) plus two 500 word written versions of presentations 20% (due one week after presentations), a 1-hour class test 30% (due mid-semester) and an essay of 2000 words 50% (due at the end of semester).