Course Title: Self, Identity and Agency
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Self, Identity and Agency
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
HUSO2164 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2013, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016, Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 1 2022, Sem 2 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 2 2023, Sem 1 2024 |
HUSO2164 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Face-to-Face or Internet |
Sem 2 2019 |
HUSO2164 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
365H Global, Urban and Social Studies |
Internet |
Sem 1 2020 |
Course Coordinator: Jean Hopman
Course Coordinator Phone: +(61 3) 9925
Course Coordinator Email: jean.hopman@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: Building 8. Floor 10. Room 36
Course Coordinator Availability: Please email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
None
Course Description
Self, Identity and Agency examines the ways in which people shape, and are shaped by, the world around them. In this course you will examine questions such as: Are we ‘born’ the way we are or are we ‘made’ the way we are? How might issues be socially constructed and what are the debates about how meanings are created? How and why do human beings grow and change over the course of their lives and what factors shape and determine their life chances? In order to answer these questions we will draw on a range of social science and psychological theories which can be used to increase understanding of human development and of the dynamics between the individual and the society of which they are a part. The course requires you to develop analytical skills in examining these theories and to apply them to an understanding of a range of social issues which confront individuals in contemporary society. You will consider how your future professional practice will both influence, and be influenced by, these issues. It is particularly relevant to those working in human services such as psychologists, social work practitioners, youth workers, teachers, educators, community workers and others. However, the course will also be useful to any professional working in a relational dynamic.
This course is an academic study of constructs of self, identity and agency through interdisciplinary knowledge forms. It is not a therapeutic study.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Program Learning Outcomes
If you are enrolled in BH105 Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) you will develop the following program learning outcomes:
- Participate robustly in contemporary and changing ideological and political debates impacting on society, in an informed, flexible and grounded manner to evaluate policy and/or engage in policy debates
If you are enrolled in BP322 Bachelor of Youth Work and Youth Studies you will develop the following program learning outcomes:
- Engage responsibly and ethically in professional relationships, whilst attending to the wide range of complex issues regarding young people and other key stakeholders, in the execution of your duty of care
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
1. Describe and explain the purpose of theory in the social sciences
2. Compare and critically evaluate key social, constructionist and developmental theories discussed in the course
3. Engage the complexity of social meanings in relation to an area of society related to your future professional practice
4. Identify the key factors and processes involved and impacting on human development across the life course development
5. Use the ideas and theories studied in this course to analyse and reflect on your own life and experiences.
Overview of Learning Activities
This course comprises weekly pre-recorded lectures and online workshops. The weekly workshops draw upon the understandings developed in the lectures to establish deeper and applied conceptual knowledge through practical experiences. Readings and other relevant resources will be provided and drawn upon to explore a range of theoretical perspectives.
Overview of Learning Resources
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
Reading materials will be available through CANVAS and the RMIT Library.
There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.
Overview of Assessment
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessment 1: Report: Introducing your ‘self’, 750 words, 15% CLO 4, CLO 5.
Assessment 2: Interview and Report: Introducing an ‘other’, 1250 words, 35% CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 4
Assessment 3: Evaluation Report: Self and Agency—a reflection, up to 2000 words or equivalent, 50% CLO1, CLO2, CLO 3, CLO 4, CLO 5.
Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.