Overview

This unit helps students develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand the nature of complex crises and problems; to identify opportunities for change; and to develop practical strategies and pathways for action. Students will be introduced to a range of conceptual frameworks used for understanding, analysing and structuring problems and crises. Integrated case studies, scenario-based problem solving exercises, and seminars with practitioners will be used to explore real-world examples where activists have successfully (and unsuccessfully) sought to shake the status-quo.

Requisites

Prerequisites
ART10002 Technology and Society

AND

37.5 Credit Points

Equivalent
ART20001 Grand Challenges: Skills and Strategies for Social Change

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Apply key theoretical frameworks used to classify and explain the nature of complex problems
  • Critically analyse and evaluate the framing of problems and how such framing impacts upon agenda-setting and solution formation processes
  • Evaluate a range of different strategies and tools used by activists seeking to instigate social and political change
  • Apply analytical and communications skills to develop practical change-oriented strategies

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
On-campus
Class
2.00 12 weeks 24
Specified Activities
Various
2.00 12 weeks 24
Unspecified Activities
Various
7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Problem SolvingGroup 20% 1,2,3,4 
Specialist ModuleIndividual 30% 1,2,3,4 
Tutorial PaperIndividual 50% 1,2,3,4 

Content

  • Evidence-based advocacy
  • Problem-framing
  • Communications strategies and agenda-setting
  • Public ethics
  • Strategic thinking and coalition-building
  • In partnership with external NGOs, students will develop strategies and campaign proposals to address contemporary real-world issues and effect change.

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.