PLT2162

Australia in the Information Age: 2. Interpretations

(ART)

Paul James

6 points + 2 hours per week + First semester + Clayton + Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in Politics, Anthropology or Sociology + Corequisite: PLT2160 + Prohibition: PLT3162

Synopsis: What does it mean to live in a world of electronically mediated information? Is it all an inexplicable mess of information flows or can we discern patterns of change? This subject juxtaposes new themes in the critical literature with current issues and debates in Australian politics and society. It explores the nature and significance of the cultural and economic changes affecting Australian society. However, it goes further in relating these to the way in which we are formed as individuals. It attempts to get behind the concepts of post-industrialism, postmodernity and the information society and is especially concerned with the way in which structural change affects subjectivities.

Assessment: Essay (2500 words): 50% + Take-home examination (2000 words): 40% + Seminar participation: 10%