HUMN 7048 Understanding Race

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 102601

Coordinator Alana Lentin Opens in new window

Description What is race? What is racism? How are they related? Why do they continue to shape social, political and economic relations well after the biological concept of race was disproven? What are the links between race and colonialism and in Australia particularly, the invasion and settlement of Aboriginal land? How is race related to property? How do ideas of race become embedded in state institutions and why do they continue to shape disadvantage and inequality? Though race develops differently in different contexts, it is best thought about through relational readings that draw out both the differences but also the similarities between places and times. This subject will draw on race critical and decolonial texts to focus on race as a modern idea that is shaped in the contexts of colonialism, slavery, and persists in post-immigration multicultural societies.

School Humanities & Comm Arts

Discipline Sociology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your fees via the Fees page.

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in a postgraduate program.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Identify major sociological, literary and cultural approaches to race and racism
  2. Analyse primary texts from the race critical literature
  3. Apply race critical analyses to socio-political and historical events and issues

Subject Content

Unit content will draw on the following topics in race critical scholarship:
1. Defining the race concept
2. Race and state
3. Race as property
4. Race critical and decolonial epistemologies
5. Postracialism

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Presentation Presentation 15 minutes - Blog post 2000 words in total 50 N Individual
Essay 4,000 words 50 N Individual

Teaching Periods

Spring (2023)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Alana Lentin Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Autumn (2024)

Parramatta - Victoria Rd

On-site

Subject Contact Alana Lentin Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window