Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

References
Alexander, J. and Seidman, 5. eds. Culture and Society
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1990
Austin-Broos, D.J. (ed.) Creating Culture. Sydney, Allen & Unwin,
1987
Bronner, S.E. and Kellner, D.M. (eds.) Critical Theory and Society: A
Reader. New York, Routledge, 1989
Dupre, L. Marx's Social Critique of Culture. New Haven, Yale
University Press, 1983
Lodge, 0. Modern Criticism and Theory: A Reader: London, New
York, Longman, 1988
Williams, R. Problems in Materialism and Culture: Selected essays.
London, Verso. 1980
*AHZOS
Social Philosophy, Politics and
Ethics
No, of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisite: one of AH1 00, AH1 01, AH1 02,
AH103 or approved equivalent
Assessment: continuous and by examination
Subject aims and description
The focus of this subject is the analysis and critical appraisal
of contemporary social and political discourse. In addressing
the central issues, two broad approaches (or a combination
of these) may be adopted: the modernitylpostmodernity
debate, directly engaged through exploration of the positions
defended by such contemporary thinkers as Habermas and
Foucault; or the issues approached from an historical
perspective via exploration of a range of positions from Plato
to the present.
References
Consult with the lecturer before buying any books, as the
recommended texts change depending on the orientation adopted in
the course. But the following are likely to be useful.
Beilharz, P. (ed.), Social Theory: A Guide to Central Thinkers. Sydney,
Allen & Unwin, 1992.
Bernstein, R. The New Constellation, MIT Press, 1992.
Maclntyre, A. A Short History of Ethics. London, Routledge, 1967
Muschamp, D. (ed.) Political Thinkers. South Melbourne, Macmillan,
1986
Skinner, Q. (ed.), The Return of Grand Theory in the Human Sciences
Cambridge University Press, 1985.
*Not available to students who have previously passed
AH200 Moral and Political Philosophy.
*AHZO~ Society, Culture, and Resources
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisite: one of AH1 00, AH1 01, AH102,
AH 103 or approved equivalent
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
Resources, people, survival, and development: within the
general framework of social history this course emphasises
the interaction between technology and social change from
ancient to modern times. Politics, economics, religion, values,
traditions, social structures, education, relations with
neighbours, knowledge and skills, are factors which combine
to influence the course of human development. Also
considered are the moral dilemmas of industrial societies,
including problems of pollution and environment control.
Preliminary reading
Buchanan, R.A. History and Industrial Civilisation. London, Macmillan,
1979
Textbook
Mumford, L. The Cityin History Penguin, 1966
References
Basalla, G. The Evolution of Technology. Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 1988
Dickson, D. Alternative Technology. London, Fontana/Collins, 1974
Harris, M. Cannibals and Kings. New York, Random House, 1977
Mokyr, J. The Lever of Riches. New York, Oxford University Press,
1990
Mumford, L. The Myth of the Machine: Technics and Human
Development. London, Secker and Warburg, 1967
* Not available to students who have previously passed
AH202 Technology and Society.
~ ~ 3 0 1 Rationality
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prereauisites: two of AH200. AH201. AH202.
~~203, AH204, AH205, ~ ~206, or approved
equivalents
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
This subject engages the contemporary debate about the
meaning and value of rationality. The issues considered
include: the problem of the rational justification of beliefs and
actions in a way which does justice to our status as situated
human agents; the relationship between rationality and
scientific inquiry, and between western rationality and the
rationality of other cultures; the problem of relativism; and
the links between rationality and human well-being.
Text book
Please consult with the lecturer before buying textbooks.
References
Agassi, J. and Ja~ie, I.C. (eds.) Rationality: The Critical View.
Dordrecht, Nijhoff, 1987
Brown, H. Rationality London, Routledge, 1990
Hollis, M. and Lukes, S. (eds.) Rationality and Relativism., Oxford,
Blackwell, 1982
Rescher, N. Rationality. Oxford, Clarendon Press. 1988
Wilson, B. (ed.) Rationality Oxford, Blackwell, 1970
~ ~ 3 0 6 Practical Ethics
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two of AHZOO, AH201, AH202,
AH203, AH204, AH205, AH206, or approved
equivalents
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
This subject attempts to develop an understanding of the
process of moral decision making, with a view to improving
the ability of participants to form ethical judgements and to
be tolerant of the judgements of others.
Presently, the two main areas of discussion are the moral
value of human beinas and environmental ethics. Further
areas may be added Tn future years.
Textbooks
Kannegiesser, H. Conception in the Test Tube. Melbourne, Macmillan,
1988
Rachels, 1. The Elements of Moral Philosophy. 2nd edn, New York,
McGraw-Hill, 1993
References
De Marco, J. and F.R. New Directions in Ethics. New York. Routledge
and Kegan Paul, 1986
Elliot, R. and Gare, A. Environmental Philosophy Brisbane, University