50186 Utopias and Dystopias
8cpDisciplinary Strand – Social, Political and Historical Studies – 300 level
Subject coordinator: Jeremy Walker
This subject covers a close study of many models of political theorising, including both the Platonic and Aristotelian approaches: idealism versus critical analysis. It starts in detail with Republic as the fundamental utopian source and concentrates on More's Utopia as the well-spring of the modern visionary political tradition.
Topics investigated include Enlightenment utopias, Socialist utopias, Romantic utopias, Feminist utopias, Eco-utopias, and Cyber utopias. In particular, the utopia of Marge Piercy's Woman on the Edge of Time is studied at length and evaluated in depth.
Sources of the dystopian, such as class, wealth, sex, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, age, body-shape, 'abilities', competences, knowledge-inequality, religion and speciesism are critically assessed.
Utopias postulated by students are discussed and critiqued as an ongoing exercise.
Typical availability
Autumn semester, City campus
Detailed subject description.
Fee information
2009 contribution for post-2008 Commonwealth-supported students: $866.83
Note: Students who commenced prior to 1 January 2008 should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth Supported places.
2009 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,900.00
Note: Fees for Postgraduate domestic fee-paying students and international students are charged according to the course they are enrolled in. Students should refer to the Annual Fees Schedule.
Subject EFTSL: 0.167Access 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.
