166-004 Change & Conflict in Australian Society

Usually one first-year politics subject.

An introduction to the study of social movements and the general issues raised by the problem of social change and political conflict. How and why do political changes occur? If social movements did not exist, would societies need to invent them? The subject examines the development and political arguments of the principal Australian social movements in the past 30 years and the reactions to them: the green movement; the Aboriginal movement; the women's movement; the homosexual liberation movements; the peace movement; multiculturalism and refugee action groups; the labour movement and the anti-corporate globalisation movement.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations,

• be able to communicate knowledge ideologically and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through small group discussions.

An essay of 2000 words 50% (due mid-semester) and a 2 hour examination 50% (during the examination period).

A reading pack will be available

• V Burgmann, Power, Profit and Protest. 2003.