In recent years, there have been considerable developments in anthropology
in the theorising of culture, feminist studies, epistemological questions
relating to post-colonialism and its effects upon anthropological forms of
research and knowledge. These developments are reflected in units such as 'Asia
and the West', 'Feminism cross-culturally' and 'The Third World and the
comparative study of South and Southeast Asian cultures'. Specialist
supervision can be offered for MA and PhD theses with regard to these fields as
well as contemporary Indonesia, ethnicity and nationalism, disability studies,
the role and identity of women in the Pacific, as well as the complex
historico-cultural transformations of modernity and the contemporary forms of
theorising culture.
The focus of sociology is the study of industrial and post-industrial
societies. It involves the investigation of human groups, communities,
institutions and organisations, and the networks of meaning and association
which link individuals and groups to the broader social structures of such
societies. There is a wide range of units at the graduate level which provide
opportunities to explore broad theoretical and methodological issues, acquire
research skills, and develop an understanding of the institutions and processes
of industrial and post-industrial society. Emphasis is placed on the research
process (the careful description of human social order, the development of
theories and research strategies designed to test and apply theories) as the
means by which sociology as a discipline advances; and on the development of
theoretical ideas to explain social processes. The discipline has a special
interest in the application of sociological knowledge to contemporary public
issues.
Anthropology and sociology offers the PhD and Master of Arts by research (100 per cent). See the Arts postgraduate section for course details. See also the entry for 'Humanities, communications and social sciences' (Gippsland campus) and http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/about/ Coursework programs aim to provide students with a broad range of research skills and equip them for careers in social research, government, industry and the public service. Mid-year entry is available for and program listed below.
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