Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Noah Bassil
Contact via +61-2-9850-8811
Y3A-10 Hadenfeld Avenue, 225
tba
Lecturer
Ben Spies-Butcher
Contact via +61-2-9850-4074
Hearing Hub, Level 2, Rm2.684
TBC
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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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, Balibar, Boltanski, Brown, Chakrabarty, Fraser, Foucault, Habermas, Honneth. 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. It will extend and complement the existing Mres units SOCI703, ‘Social Theory and Policy’, POIR704 ‘Global Political Economy’ and can be taken as a progression or stand-alone unit.
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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:
The unit will combine short lectures from each of three staff and inclusive seminar discussions on each of the topics. The assessment tasks follow a scaffolding design in which each task builds upon and extends the previous one.
As a graduate class, students will be expected to not only comprehend and have the capacity to reproduce complex theoretical approaches, they will be required to develop the capacity to rationally arbitrate on the value and the success of different theoretical approaches to the same 'problem complex': the rise of neoliberal market thinking and the demise of social democratic expectations. This capacity to critically evaluate and compare the success and worth of major social and political theories will be assessed in the major research essay.
Late Penalty Policy
Unless a Disruption to Studies request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Participation Assessment | 20% | No | Weekly |
Short piece | 30% | No | Friday Week 6 |
Research Essay | 50% | No | Friday Week 13 |
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.
Due: Friday Week 6
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.
The focus here is on how people use the term neoliberalism. What do they mean by it? What ideas and concepts are they drawing on when they use the term? And how might we situate their use within the many uses and critiques of the term that we explore?
Due: Friday Week 13
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
Essay Format: Formal essay in style. Font: Times New Roman or Palatino Linotype; Font size: 12; Line spacing: min 1.5; Margins: Left: 3cm; Right: 3cm; Top: 2.5cm; Bottom: 2.5cm.
Technologies used. This unit has a presence on iLearn (ilearn.mq.edu.au) and you will be required to have regular access to a reliable broadband internet connection and a computer.
Format: The unit will combine short lectures from each of three staff and inclusive seminar discussions on each of the topics. The assessment tasks follow a scaffolding design in which each task builds upon and extends the previous one.
Workbook: a workbook/blog is set up under Assessments for you to use. Your entries will not be visible to any other student.
Readings: You will find these listed on the unit's iLearn page. Where possible, readings will be provided through Unit Readings in the Library, or will be directly made available in the required session on the iLearn page.
SECTION 1: What is Neoliberalism? Where does it come from? How did it emerge? What does it look like? |
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Session 1 |
'Neoliberal' thinkers - Noah and Ben in conversation |
Session 2 |
The power of ideas or institutions? - Ben |
Session 3 |
Neoliberalism, religion and moral conservatism - Marion Maddox |
SECTION 2: Logics of neoliberalsm | |
Session 4 |
Crisis and the Global South - Noah |
Session 5 |
Bio-politics and the prison complex - Lara Palombo |
Session 6 |
Risk and insecurity - Ben |
Session 7 |
Finance, money and time - Ben |
SECTION 3: Living neoliberalism |
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Session 8 | Women and Neoliberalism - Sabine Krajewski |
Session 9 |
Environment and neoliberalism - Jon Symons |
Session 10 |
PRace and neoliberalism - Noah |
Session 11 |
Welfare reform - Eve Vincent |
Session 12 |
Populism - Noah |
Session 13 |
Beyond neoliberalism - Noah |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by: