58218 Ideology, Beliefs and Visions
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2015 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade, no marks
Requisite(s): 58122 Introduction to Social Inquiry OR 58123 Society, Economy and Globalisation OR 58124 Local Transformations
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Social change produces ideas but ideas also produce or prevent social change. The ideologies we live under, the beliefs we may hold and the visions to which we aspire are rooted in our experiences but they also transcend them. The capacity to change society can hinge on this ability to inspire people to action. Students examine matters such as what produces beliefs and ideologies and how they are built into coherent worldviews through successive generations, the differences between religious cosmologies, political ideologies and visions and the ways they transform peoples' lives and the source of their potency and danger. They explore different types of ideas in the context of political ideologies, religious values and visions for a better society. Students develop and investigate a research question relevant to the role of ideas in social change, using participant observation and qualitative interviews to analyse ideational dynamics in real world contexts.
Subject objectives
| a. | Apply key concepts of the social sciences |
|---|---|
| b. | Appreciate different standpoints, viewpoints and frameworks for understanding the social world |
| c. | Analyse their own beliefs, assumptions and expectations |
| d. | Undertake qualitative research, in particular, participant observation |
| e. | Critically apply theory to qualitative research practice and mobilise the resulting empirical data for social analysis |
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject consists of 10 weekly lectures and tutorials, and two workshops: one for planning participant observation projects and one for integrating research into the essay. Core texts are reproduced online; additional resources are available in the UTS library. The lectures engage students with key concepts and methods while in half of the tutorials students evaluate theoretical claims through group and class discussion of lectures and key texts. The other half of the tutorials allow students to report on their research projects and learn of the difficulties and complexities of participant observation by listening to the experience of other students. Instruction and guidance on the ethical questions arising in participant observation will be included. Tutorials involve students in a variety of activities, including individual and group presentations, discussion groups on method and collaborative work shopping of qualitative project work.
Content
The subject introduces students to some of the key concepts in the theorisation of how ideas operate in and are expressed through collective, everyday contexts like organisations or movements. Students will apply the concepts of gender, race, social class and cultural diversity to the categories of ideology, belief and vision. Students will deepen their knowledge of and competence in qualitative research methods introduced in earlier units, in particular for participant observation and in-depth interviewing.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Tutorial presentation (10%) and tutorial paper (20%)
| Objective(s): | a and b |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | The written tutorial paper will be no more than 1500 words in length. |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Class presentation of Participant Observation project
| Objective(s): | a, b, c and d |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: |
|
Assessment task 3: Essay on participation observation project
| Objective(s): | a, c, d and e |
|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Length indication 3,000 words. |
| Criteria: |
|
Minimum requirements
Mandatory attendance
Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.
Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.
Other resources
SUPPORT
Learning support
You should not hesitate to ask your lecturer or subject coordinator for help throughout the semester (in the first class you will be advised how to contact your lecturer). You will be provided with comments and suggestions on assessment tasks throughout the semester.
The University Library has resources for your assignments. Some items such as electronic journals, databases and e-reserve require a login and password in order to be accessed from home. Information and instructions for off-campus access are available at:
www.lib.uts.edu.au/faq/online-access
Items in high demand are placed in the Library's Reserve Collection and much of this material is now accessible electronically. Access via the Closed Reserve collection at:
http://linus.lib.uts.edu.au/search/pn
If you need help with your study (writing, seminar presentation or study skills) contact the HELPS Centre, level 3, Building 2 for their workshops and links to some useful information to help you study and improve your results.
Help for students
If personal problems are affecting your work you should seek free and confidential assistance from Student Services, telephone 9514 1171, or drop in to level 6, Building 1 (Tower), for an appointment. This medical and counselling service is provided without charge to all students.
As mentioned above, to ensure that every student receives the same fair and transparent treatment all students are expected to submit their work on time. However, if circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, mean that you need a short amount of additional time (between one day and one week) to complete an assessment item you must make a request in writing with your reasons to the lecturer.
Request for assignment extension
Where an illness or misadventure has a short-term effect on your preparation for assessment (e.g. illness or other circumstances that are beyond your control):
- Students should notify the lecturer/tutor of their reason for extension by email before
the due date of the assessment item.
- Lecturers/tutors can grant an extension of time up to one week and will notify the
student by return email of the new due date.
- Students should attach a copy of the email received from their lecturer/tutor to the
assessment item.
Special consideration
The only students entitled to apply for special consideration are those who can prove that their ability to study was affected by major illness or misadventure beyond their control. Applications lodged after the assignment due date or that fail to meet the strict criteria for special consideration will be rejected. The criteria is available at:
www.sau.uts.edu.au/assessment/consideration.html
Special needs
The Special Needs Service provides services for people with disabilities who may be entitled to ask for special learning and assessment arrangements. Contact the Special Needs Service in the Student Services Unit for a confidential discussion of your circumstances. Students registered with the Special Needs Office are expected to contact the faculty's Academic Liaison Officer (ALO) at the beginning of their course about any particular learning and assessment arrangements and each semester they should let the ALO know their subjects. The ALO is also the person to contact if you have primary care for young children or other caring responsibilities. The ALO is Dr Catherine Robinson, telephone 9514 2721 or email C.Robinson@uts.edu.au
Safe study environment
UTS is committed to ensuring that all students and staff are treated fairly and equitably, and can study and work in an environment free from harassment. Discrimination, harassment and
victimisation are unlawful, undermine professional relationships and diminish the experience of university life. All UTS students and staff have a responsibility to contribute to the achievement of a productive, safe and equitable study and work environment by avoiding practices that lead to, support or condone harassment. Sex or race based harassment and any other forms of discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated at UTS. For definitions and further information about what constitutes harassment and other relevant UTS policies have a look at the Equity and Diversity website:
www.equity.uts.edu.au
