HOW SOCIAL CHANGE HAPPENS
POL5HSM
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject is focused on analysing social, political and economic change. It does so by combining research from a range of academic disciplines with the practical perspectives offered by NGOs and other change agents. It offers the latest thinking and evidence on what works to achieve desirable social change and improvement. The subject is designed for students doing the Master of International Development, but it is relevant to students from the across the social sciences and health sciences. The subject is in three sections. Part 1 is conceptual and theoretical. Part 2 examines the way in which entities such the government, law, the media and the business sector influence change, and are themselves targets for change. Part 3 examines how NGOs and other civil society organisations achieve change, giving particular focus to importance of coalition and network building, leadership, activism and education. Several case studies of social change will be discussed and analysed.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Sheila Scopis
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: POL4MSH, POL5MSH
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Core subject the Master of International Development (AMID/AMIDV/AMIDH/HZHPHID/HZPHID) but open to students not doing these awards
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | How Change Happens | Prescribed | Green, Duncan 2016 | Oxford University Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain and evaluate contending theoretical perspectives on how social change occurs
- Activities:
- tutorial activities, lectures, essays.
02. Demonstrate an understanding of how different actors (such as NGOs, Governments, Media, Business) influence social change and are themselves targets for social change.
- Activities:
- tutorial activities, lectures, essays.
03. Describe how theory and practice do (and do not) co-inform each other with particular reference to NGO sector
- Activities:
- tutorial activities, lectures, essays.
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Sheila Scopis
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.5 hours lecture per week on any day including weekend from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.5 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly online quizzes and tasks | 25 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| Tutorial activities and tasks | 10 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| 750 word essay | 15 | 01 | |
| 3,000 word essay | 50 | 01, 02, 03 |