Course overview
Media attention is regularly focused on individuals and/or groups who flout societal norms and/or advocate for change. In this course we explore the way these challenges are framed particularly within mass mediated public discussion and by using a sociological lens (scandal, moral panic, stigma and risk). Case studies include: terrorism, surveillance of civilians, gay marriage, drugs in sport, border protection, climate change, assisted reproduction and the application of gene technology. The course utilises contemporary sociological and gender studies approaches to analyse these and other public issues. In particular students will investigate the ways in which gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity and class are mobilised within morally charged discourses (for example, surrogacy, abortion and same sex parenting) as well as in more objectively based concerns such as global warming. The course provides the opportunity to collaborate in small groups while learning how to apply social theory. Considerable student choice is available for the topic of the research assignment.
Course learning outcomes
- Understanding of several key concepts in sociology and their application to contemporary events in Australian society
- Understanding of the role the media plays in fomenting moral panics in Australian society. Critically analyse and apply different methodological approaches to research
- Understanding of the way in which laws are made in response to moral panics
- Ability to prepare and deliver coherently and logically argued writing
- Ability to engage productively and respectfully with their peers
- Confidently engage with unfamiliar texts
- Ability to seek a range of resources available to support critical writing and research