Course syllabus

SOCIOL 736: Renegotiating Citizenship

SEMESTER 2, 2018

30 points

Teacher:  Associate Professor Louise Humpage  

l.humpage@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

3 hours of lectures 

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

Summary of Course Description:              

Changing economic, political and social realities in Western societies have challenged traditional notions of citizenship. This course critically examines emerging debates in citizenship studies that consider how shifting political ideologies, welfare state reform, increasing cultural diversity and globalisation impact on citizenship at both theoretical and policy levels. The first section of the course introduces key concepts and traditional understandings of citizenship as a prelude to four sections each addressing a set of inter-related challenges facing citizenship today.  The course will conclude with a brief consideration of the future of citizenship given the challenges we have explored.

The course aims to:

• Introduce students to concepts and theories central to citizenship studies, drawing upon literature from sociology, political science, social policy, political economy and migration studies;
• Demonstrate that ‘citizenship’ has always been a contested concept, but one that is being renegotiated given modern political, economic, social and cultural challenges;
• Encourage students to engage in a rigorous examination of contemporary citizenship theories and issues using critical thinking skills.

At the completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding about a wide range of contemporary citizenship issues and theories internationally, as evidenced in class discussions;
• The ability to work independently researching and writing assignments that explore a specific aspect of citizenship studies that fits with their own interests;
• The ability to present their research ideas orally, both informally (through ongoing class discussions) and formally (through a graded presentation to class);
• The ability to professionally and constructively offer feedback on the work of their peers, both informally (in class and during presentations) and formally (though the second assessment task).

Assessment Summary:

0% research plan due week 3

30% literature review due week 5

10% peer evaluation due week 6

10% presentation due week 11 or 12

50% research essay due week 12

Weekly Topics:

See the course outline

Prescribed Texts:

Click on 'reading lists' for free electronic copies of all readings

Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 20 hours per week on a 30-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. 

If you are ill or have other exceptional circumstances that mean you cannot submit an assignment on time, please contact Louise Humpage by email (l.humpage@auckland.ac.nz) BEFORE the due date wherever possible to discuss the possibility of an extension. You will need to provide appropriate evidence (e.g. medical certificate, death notice or eviction notice) and family holidays, sporting engagements and other planned events are NOT considered exceptional circumstances. Essays receiving an extension will be penalised one grade per day if they are not submitted by the revised deadline (and will not be marked if more than 7 days late) unless a new deadline is negotiated with Louise.

If you do not have an extension, you can still submit your assignment up until 7 days after the due date but you will be penalised one grade per day (i.e. a B essay will drop to B- if it is a day late). This includes the weekend because electronic submission means assignments can be submitted any time! No essay that is over 7 days late will be graded unless an extension has previously been negotiated with Louise.