Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ben Spies-Butcher
Jean-Philippe Deranty
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit introduces key themes and theorists in contemporary social and political theory. In particular, it will explore competing diagnoses and responses to the winding back of the post-war compromises between democratic states and corporate capitalism. Rather than taking a serial approach to a study of social and political theories, the unit will focus on their, at times diametrically opposed, configurations of this broad problem complex. In an epoch in which neoliberal agendas have both provoked, and perhaps also been facilitated by, the surge of populist politics across the globe, we look to contemporary social and political theories to help us make sense of new developments, to diagnose their costs and unravel future potentials. Can social democratic reformism survive the era of Trump, Brexit and Hanson? Organised as a workshop series, the unit will draw from leading theorists such as: Agamben, Boltanski, Brown, Chakrabarty, Fraser, Foucault, Habermas, Harvey, Honneth, Peck. Examining a problematic that is of foundational importance in much current social and political research, this unit is relevant to students across the humanities and social sciences. |
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Participation Assessment | 20% | No | Weekly |
Short piece | 30% | No | Friday 24th March |
Research essay | 50% | No | Friday 2nd June |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 39 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 20%
This assessment will be marked in two components. The first will be based on being a ‘lead respondent’ in one of the weeks of the course. Responding will involve leading the discussion by making a brief comment and/or asking a question based on the reading to draw out the discussion. The second component is active engagement in seminars across the semester.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: Friday 24th March
Weighting: 30%
This assignment involves you exploring how neoliberalism is being used in public debate. You will write a blog post (900 words) or make a short podcast (15 min) where you engage with a piece of writing or media that applies the concept of neoliberalism, and reflect on how the term is being used drawing on the material in the first 5 weeks of the unit. This is not a traditional research essay, and we do not expect a full reference list or formal referencing. However, the piece should use links or (verbal) references to key thinkers or texts to guide the audience to see the links between theories/theorists from the course and your analysis.
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Friday 2nd June
Weighting: 50%
This is a more traditional research essay. The aim is to discuss the concept of neoliberalism and its utility within your home discipline. We will work with you across the semester to develop a specific question/focus, particularly after the semester break. This is also an opportunity to think about how the concept might or might not be useful for your Year 2 research project.
Word length: 4,000 words
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Classes are held on Wednesday afternoons 1-4pm in Room 202, 23 Wallys Walk. Generally the classes are hybrid, with external students attending the class via Zoom. The initial part of the class will generally involve a mini-lecture and be recorded, followed by a broader discussion. Classes will sometime end before 4pm.
Readings are available through Leganto.
Week 1: 'Neoliberalism'
Week 2: The Power of Ideas
Week 3: Finance, risk and speculation
Week 4: Neoliberalism as Neo-capitalism
Week 5: Neoliberalism, Religion and Moral Conservatism
Week 6: Crisis and the Global South
Week 7: Welfare Reform
Week 8: Work and Neoliberalism
Week 9: Neoliberalism and Ecological Crisis
Week 10: Populism and Authoritarianism
Week 11: Techno-Feudalism
Week 12: Polycrisis?
Week 13: Beyond Neoliberalism
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Late Assessment Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.
This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2023.01R of the Handbook