1996 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

AP115 Introduction to Modern Asia
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: nil
Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
This subject provides an introduction to modern Asia
through the biographical/autobiographical accounts of four
major leaders who fundamentally altered the political
framework of their countries. They include Mahatma
Gandhi, Mao Zedong, Benazir Bhutto and Corazon Aquino.
The course will consider their contribution within the
broader context of nationalism, revolution and
modernisation. It offers important insights into the history,
politics and culture of diverse societies in Asia. Some of the
topics covered include India's nationalist movement, the
growth of communism in China, and democratisation in the
Philippines and Pakistan.
Recommended reading
Fischer, L. Gandhi. His Life and Message - to the World. New York,
penguin, l982
Gonzalez-Yap, M. The Making of Cory. Quezon City, New Day
Publishers, 1987
Lamb, C. Waitingfor Allah Pakistan's Struggle For Democracy,
London, Penguin, 1992
8 Murphey, R. A. History ofAsia. New York, Harper Collins, 1992
U
4
5 AP200 Advanced Australian Politics
(Not offered in 1996)
3 hours pw week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or approved equivalent. A background
in Australian Politicsand/or social and political theory is
desirable Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
In this subject an analysis of power structure in Australia is
attempted.
There are four main sections:
Section 1
The Condition of the People. This section surveys
distribution of wealth, distribution of income, aspects of
poverty, and social mobility.
Section 2
The Will of the People. This section analyses the social
policy of the Whitlam Government 1972-75, and the
electorate's response.
Section 3
The Consciousness of the People. This section looks at
theories of hegemony and class consciousness in Australia.
Section 4
The Rule of the People? This section considers the question
who rules?
Recommended reading
Reading guides are distributed.
AP2Ol Political Sociology
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or an approved equivalent
Assessment: continuous
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
In this subject, key aspects of the relationships between
politics and society are examined. It is an introduction to the
theme of power and its exercise. Its main objective is to
provide students with the basic skills necessary to identify
and understand major forms of power, which they can apply
to their immediate environment or to the broader
dimensions of society.
Topics to be considered include the historical background to
political sociology; classic views about the nature of human
beings and society; an analysis of the concepts of power,
authority and influence, with reference to Max Weber; the
problem of locating power in modern society and an
examination of three theories of power and society, namely
Marxist, elitist and pluralist theories; the definition of
democracy and the debate about its various models.
Recommended readina
Dowse, R.E. and Hughes, J.A. ~olizcal Sociology. London, Wiley,
1972, ch. 1
AP202 Europe, Capitalism and The Third
World
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or approved equivalent
Assessment: essays and tutorial participation
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
This subject relates the shaping of today's Third World to
the emergence of capitalism in Western Europe.
It examines the forces that have produced the uneven
development where some parts of the world are
industrialised and rich and other parts still technically
primitive and poor.
The broad themes of the subject are the social origins of
capitalism and the process of proletarianisation, the
Industrial Revolution, European colonisation and the
making of a world economy.
Recommended reading
Hill, C. Reformation to Industrial Revolution 1530-1 780.
Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1969
Wolf, E. Europeand the People Without History. Berkeley,
University of California, 1982
AP204 Modern Japan
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: any stage one
political studies subject or an approved equivalent
Assessment: essays and/or exam
A subject in the Bachelor of Arts
Objectives and Content
Discussion centres around the problems of Japanese