Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700140

Coordinator Mona Shrestha Opens in new window

Description The purpose of this unit is to develop awareness and understanding of cultural differences, whiteness and power relations in Australian society. Students are introduced to and required to develop a working understanding of theories of whiteness, culture, identity, difference and relations of power. Through assignments and activities students have the opportunity to work through the application of these theories in relation to different groups and social issues in the Australian context.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Society and Culture, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Pre-requisite(s) -

Equivalent Subjects CULT 1022 Working with Cultural Differences AND
HUMN 1046 Tourism in Society (WSTC)

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in extended diplomas must pass 40 credit points from the preparatory subjects listed in the program structure prior to enrolling in this University level subject. Students enrolled in 7057 Diploma in Social Science Extended must have successfully completed 700246 Key Ideas in Arts and Social Sciences.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify the nature and meaning of the concept of culture;
2. Demonstrate understanding of current theories of and interrelationships of culture, identity and difference;
3. Recognise the operation of power and of relations of power in terms of culture, difference and identity in the Australian context;
4. Demonstrate understanding of the historical and social contexts of cultural differences in Australia through personal narratives, readings and other materials;
5. Explain the concept of whiteness as a structure of authority and as a location of identity;
6. Critically reflect on the history of Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations in Australia since 1788 and its impacts today;
7. Identify different discourses and practices of multiculturalism in recent Australian history;
8. Demonstrate understanding of locations of difference in the Australian context such as class, gender, geographic location, sexuality.

Subject Content

1. Concepts of culture, cultural difference and identity;
2. Historical and social perspectives on cultural differences in Australia;
3. Narratives about difference and identities;
4. Understanding of power and relations of power and positionings within cultural differences;
5. Whiteness as a structure of authority and as a location of identity
6. History of Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations in Australia
7. Discourses of multiculturalism in recent Australian history
8. Locations of difference such as gender, race, class, sexuality, geography in the Australian context.