HOW SOCIAL CHANGE HAPPENS
POL5HSM
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject scrutinizes phenomena of social, political and economic change. It does so by combining the practical perspectives offered by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other change agents, with the latest academic research from a wide range of disciplines. It examines the ways in which entities such as the government, the media and the business community may influence change, and are themselves targets for change. It also considers how change agents define, negotiate, and pursue notions of social improvement, paying particular attention to the importance of coalition building, leadership, and activism. Over the semester, practitioners--coming from NGOs, Multilateral Organizations, Transnational Corporations, social enterprises, political and community organizations--will introduce students to relevant case studies, and share insights from their field experience. 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.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Michael O'Keefe
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
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain and evaluate contending theoretical perspectives on how social change occurs
- Activities:
- seminar activities and assignments
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:
- seminar activities and assignments
03. Analyze strengths and weaknesses of relevant interventions
- Activities:
- seminar activities and assignments
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Michael O'Keefe
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
"we need seminar teaching rooms with video-recording facilities
we are also trying to put a request to move it to City Campus (Collins Street), but the system won't allow us to
Seminar to be scheduled in classroom with video-recording facility
"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective Journals (1,000 word equivalent) | Critically reflect on case studies presented by guest speakers | 20 | 01 |
| Critical Case Study Analysis (3,000 words) | Produce a written analysis of a case study, and demonstrate close engagement with the academic and development literature | 60 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Case Study Presentation and Seminar Exercises (1,000 word equivalent) | Review strengths and weaknesses of interventions/frameworks presented by guest speakers, and demonstrate close engagement with development reports | 20 | 01, 02, 03 |