50186 Utopias and Dystopias

8cp
Disciplinary Strand – Social, Political and Historical Studies – 300 level

This subject considers the history of utopian and dystopian thought in fiction, political writings and social movements. It approaches utopian thinking as a form of political theory, in which ideals of the good life or the good society are set down as alternatives to what are perceived as the problems of the present. Dystopias are understood as a form of social and political critique in which the utopian ideal is reversed. The subject asks whether it is possible (or desirable) to construct a totalising model for political and social change. It also examines the historical function utopias have performed. It challenges students to think about their own political values and theories in terms of coherent, total schemes for social improvement.

For detailed information, see the full subject description at:
http://www.hss.uts.edu.au/subject_descriptions/50186.pdf

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus

Fee information

2007 contribution for post-2004 Commonwealth-supported students: $832.67
2007 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,760.00
Subject EFTSL: 0.167
Note: The above fees are applicable in 2007 for Commonwealth-supported students who commenced after 2004 and domestic fee-paying undergraduate students only. Pre-2005 Commonwealth-supported students should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students webpage.
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places, and not all subjects are available to Commonwealth supported students. Domestic fee-paying students and international students should refer to the Fees webpage.

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.