Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Gippsland Second semester 2010 (Day) Gippsland Second semester 2010 (Off-campus)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Vaughan Higgins

Synopsis

This unit explores the different ways in which globalisation transforms those regions that lie outside the boundaries of Australia's capital cities. Studying the regional impact of global processes is significant since it is often non-metropolitan regions where the uneven effects of globalisation are experienced most intensely. The unit focuses on how globalisation contributes to economic, environmental and social change in regional Australia, and its implications for various groups communities and industries. We also engage with debates over how to create a more sustainable future for regional Australia, and reflect on the tensions involved in current strategies to enhance 'sustainability'.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students will:

1. be able to explain the relationship between globalisation processes and contemporary change in regional Australia;
2. be able to recognise and describe the different theories and concepts through which sociologists explain regional and rural change;
3. understand the processes, institutions and policies that shape the social organisation of regional Australia;
4. be able to recognise and assess critically debates concerning the sustainability of Australia's regions;
5. have gained skills in the written presentation of an argument, including the ways in which sociologists incorporate and acknowledge the ideas of other writers.

In addition, students completing the unit at third level will have gained skills in the writing of research projects.

Assessment

Short essay (1000 words): 25%
Long essay (1500 words): 35%
Research project (2000 words): 40%

Contact hours

2 hours (2 hour seminar) per week

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

Sociology

Prerequisites

Two second-year sociology units

Prohibitions

GSC2213, GSC3213, SCY2813