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FOAR7007 – Research Theme 3: Neoliberalism and Its Discontents

2023 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ben Spies-Butcher
ben.spies-butcher@mq.edu.au
Jean-Philippe Deranty
jp.deranty@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
  • ULO2: Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts
  • ULO3: Demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and scholarship
  • ULO4: Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationship

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation Assessment 20% No Weekly
Short piece 30% No Friday 24th March
Research essay 50% No Friday 2nd June

Participation Assessment

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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
  • Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts

Short piece

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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
  • Think critically and make informed judgements of the arguments of others to arrive and reasoned and meaningful arguments and apply new ideas to new contexts

Research essay

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
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Articulate a clear and coherent argument in written form to a variety of audiences
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to make decisions in the context of professional practice and scholarship
  • Demonstrate high standards of ethical conduct in research activities and relationship

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

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.

Unit Schedule

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

Policies and Procedures

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.

Student Code of Conduct

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

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

Academic Integrity

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. 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

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. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

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