PCE4010

Policing, protest and politics

Proposed to be offered next in 1999

David Baker

12 points
* One two-hour seminar per week

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject should have developed a critical awareness of both the multifaceted police role in handling and controlling riots, civil unrest and protest and the complex relationship between police and authority when that authority is challenged by unrest and demonstrations.

Synopsis This subject explores the controlling and policing of protest in a modern liberal democratic society. Theories of conflict, collective violence, police intervention, policing by consent and public order are examined. A range of protest and demonstration - political, economic, environmental, industrial - are analysed in terms of police involvement, intervention and control. Some of the specific cases of protest studied include the civil rights movement in the USA, racial unrest in Great Britain (Brixton 1981), the British coalminers' strike of 1984- 85, major industrial conflicts in Australia such as the APPM dispute of 1992 and BLF confrontations, the anti-Vietnam War moratorium and anti-Springbok marches, and recent environmental protests. Theoretical models of police policy and intervention are examined in the light of practical policing application.

Assessment Research paper (5000 words): 50%
* Essay 2500 words): 30%
* Seminar presentation (1500 words): 20%

Recommended texts

Burgmann V Power and protest: Movements for change in Australian society Allen and Unwin, 1993