Privileged Claims; Discounted Knowledges

Course aim

To build on students' knowledge of social theory by analysing at an advanced level the common-sense assumptions surrounding the notions of reality and knowledges using approaches from the sociology of knowledge and social epistemology.

Course content

The students will build on previous courses to analyse and question at an advanced level the underlying assumptions in the social hierarchies of knowledge.  The topics covered include what counts socially as valid knowledge and why, and critically evaluates concepts of ideology and the binaries in the social organisation of knowledge including objective/subjective, science/faith, and also includes the social functions of metaphors and feminist standpoint epistemologies.  The practical implications of the social organisation of knowledge is applied to social institutions throughout (for example, to education).

Textbook(s)

Fopp, R 2008, Enhancing understanding; advancing dialogue , 1st Ed, ATF Press, Adelaide

Prerequisite(s)

Not available to students who have successfully completed SOCU 3005 Sociology: Ideas and Information in the Risk Society. For Sociology general studies major students: SOCU 1002 Sociology: Perspectives and Locations or approval of the Course Coordinator.

Corequisite(s)

Nil

Teaching method

Note: These components may or may not be scheduled in every study period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Assessment

Major essay, Minor essay, Tutorial work

Fees

EFTSL*: 0.125
Commonwealth Supported program (Band 1)
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Fee-paying program for domestic and international students
International students and students undertaking this course as part of a postgraduate fee paying program must refer to the relevant program home page to determine the cost for undertaking this course.

Non-award enrolment
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* Equivalent Full Time Study Load. Please note: all EFTSL values are published and calculated at ten decimal places. Values are displayed to three decimal places for ease of interpretation.