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 elementComments%ILO*
Reflective Journals (1,000 word equivalent)Critically reflect on case studies presented by guest speakers2001
Critical Case Study Analysis (3,000 words)Produce a written analysis of a case study, and demonstrate close engagement with the academic and development literature6001, 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 reports2001, 02, 03