Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

The proposed unit aims to introduce students to a range of ideas and approaches to sustainability - environmental, economic, and social; and, to provide them with a critical sociological frame through which to understand and analyse these approaches. The unit is structured around a series of critical questions such as, what alternative perspectives can be offered on the question of sustainability? What might it mean to create a sustainable society? What kinds of economic, political and social changes would be needed to create such a society? Who wins and who loses from economic and social changes oriented to creating more sustainable societies?

Objectives

Students successfully completing this subject should be able to:

1. Identify a range of ideas and approaches to sustainability - environmental, economic, and social
2. Develop a critical sociological frame through which to understand and analyse these ideas and approaches
3. Apply sociological perspectives to analysing documents pertaining to sustainability issues.

4. Demonstrate strong analytical skills in analysing the sociological aspects of sustainability issues; and
5. Demonstrate wide reading and comprehension of the literature pertaining to the sociological aspects of sustainability.

Assessment

Written work (3,500 words, in total): 80%
In-class test (1 hour): 20%
Third year students will be required to respond to a wider question in the test.

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Alan Petersen

Contact hours

One 2-hour seminar per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Sociology

Prerequisites

A first year sequence in Sociology or permission

Prohibitions

SCY2580