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Overview

Relying on ‘theory at the margins’, this paper explores alternative forms of social organisation and human relationships.

The course encourages an understanding of what might become possible if we broaden our conceptual horizons and extend our gaze beyond entrenched, Western ways of thinking. We address thought and action that inspire greater social justice and equality and we also think critically about the conditions under which the impetus for change can have dire (sometimes unintended) consequences. We engage in robust debates about future-oriented alternatives in a range of social arenas with the aim of developing a radical imagination for the twenty-first century.

About this paper

Paper title Alternative Futures
Subject Sociology
EFTS 0.2500
Points 30 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) $2,090.50
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
72 300-level SOCI points
Eligibility
Students should have at least a B+ average for an undergraduate qualification in the social sciences.
Contact

sgsc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course co-ordinator and lecturer: Associate Professor Marcelle Dawson

Teaching Arrangements
One 3-hour seminar per week. Attendance is compulsory.
Textbooks
Compulsory and recommended reading will be made available via eReserve.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Ethics, Self-Motivation, Information Literacy, Global Perspective, Cultural Understanding, Lifelong Learning, Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  • Understand classic and contemporary debates on alternative social futures
  • Develop a global perspective on the contested nature of alternative futures
  • Undertake an independent research essay that showcases their conceptual, analytical and writing skills
  • Present part of the course content to their peers, thus developing verbal communication skills
  • Actively participate in programme/university/public seminars and engage with senior students and programme staff on a wide range of topics, thereby contributing to the research culture of the programme/school/university.

Overview

Relying on ‘theory at the margins’, this paper explores alternative forms of social organisation and human relationships.

The course encourages an understanding of what might become possible if we broaden our conceptual horizons and extend our gaze beyond entrenched, Western ways of thinking. We address thought and action that inspire greater social justice and equality and we also think critically about the conditions under which the impetus for change can have dire (sometimes unintended) consequences. We engage in robust debates about future-oriented alternatives in a range of social arenas with the aim of developing a radical imagination for the twenty-first century.

About this paper

Paper title Alternative Futures
Subject Sociology
EFTS 0.2500
Points 30 points
Teaching period Semester 1 (On campus)
Domestic Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.
Prerequisite
72 300-level SOCI points
Eligibility
Students should have at least a B+ average for an undergraduate qualification in the social sciences.
Contact

sgsc@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Course co-ordinator and lecturer: Professor Marcelle Dawson

Teaching Arrangements
One 3-hour seminar per week. Attendance is compulsory.
Textbooks
Compulsory and recommended reading will be made available via eReserve.
Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Scholarship, Interdisciplinary Perspective, Ethics, Self-Motivation, Information Literacy, Global Perspective, Cultural Understanding, Lifelong Learning, Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

  • Understand classic and contemporary debates on alternative social futures.
  • Develop a global perspective on the contested nature of alternative futures.
  • Undertake an independent research essay that showcases their conceptual, analytical and writing skills.
  • Present part of the course content to their peers, thus developing verbal communication skills.
  • Actively participate in programme/university/public seminars and engage with senior students and programme staff on a wide range of topics, thereby contributing to the research culture of the programme/school/university.
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