Course overview
Using a postcolonial, poststructural and feminist lens this course will explore they ways in which "culture war" narratives are weaponised in political discourse in an effort to define what is and what is not "Australian". Specifically, this course will apply a social justice perspective to unpacking increasing tension and conflict, and the growth of nationalist, exclusionary and discriminatory discourse in politics and the media. Using a post-colonial and post-structural and feminist lens this course will unpack how discursive constructions of ethnicity, gender, sexuality and social class are not only used to create political divisions but are employed to encourage tribalism and polarisation and ultimately to empower nationalistic and fascistic narratives. At the conclusion of this course students will have the tools to critically deconstruct exclusionary political discourse.
Course learning outcomes
- Understand the key features and assumptions of major theoretical approaches used to analyse International Relations
- Apply different theories and approaches to the analysis of case studies of global issues, events and policies
- Critique the ideas, assumptions and implications of major theoretical publications in International Relations
- Conduct independent research utilising a variety of sources and methods
- Compose coherent and well-substantiated arguments
- Express ideas confidently, thoughtfully and respectfully