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Unit outline_

PACS6909: Cultures of Violence

Semester 1b, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines the causes and consequences of different types of violence, including war, genocide, terrorism, torture, gender-based violence, gang warfare and violence associated with racial, ethnic or religious tensions. We explore how violence has been defined and tolerated historically, its character and prevalence in different times and places, and the interconnections between direct, structural and cultural violence. Issues considered include cultural and social context, public perceptions, media representation, prevention, prosecution and the political economy of violence.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Wendy Lambourne, wendy.lambourne@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Eyal Mayroz, eyal.mayroz@sydney.edu.au
Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final essay
Essay
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 21 Jun 2021 at 00:00
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Paper 1
Essay
15% Week 07
Due date: 22 Apr 2021 at 00:00
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1
Assignment Paper 2
Essay
15% Week 11
Due date: 20 May 2021 at 00:00
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1
Participation Class participation
Participation
10% Weekly ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Class participation: Students will be assessed on their participation and engagement in weekly class discussions including evidence of reading and thoughtful reflection on key topics and weekly themes. 
  • Paper 1: This assignment requires students to apply psychological theories to explain the occurrence of violence in a particular historical or contemporary context.
  • Paper 2: This assignment requires students to discuss the cultural, social, political and/or legal factors affecting the prevalence of a culture of violence in a particular context and how this may or may not have changed over time.
  • Final essay: Students are required to write a scholarly essay critically analysing the causes and prevalence of one type of violence in its cultural, social and political context, and to consider efforts to prevent or find alternatives to such violence. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 04 Introduction: Cultures of Violence Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 05 Theories of Violence Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 06 Identity, Ethnicity and Violence Block teaching (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 07 Ideology, Militarism and the Myth of War Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Terrorism and Combatting Violent Extremism Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Genocide and the Destruction of Peoples Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 10 Youth Violence and Gangs Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Racism and Cultures of Violence Block teaching (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Rape and Domestic Violence Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Crime, Punishment and Alternatives to Violence Block teaching (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold. If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark. For more information on attendance, see http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2014/345&RendNum=0.
  • Lecture recordings: Live Zoom lectures and on-campus seminars will be recorded and made available to students on Canvas. However, where possible, students should not rely on lecture recordings to substitute for live Zoom or classroom learning experience.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the historical context of how attitudes towards different types of violence have changed over time
  • LO2. appreciate the role of cultural, social and political context in shaping the nature and prevalence of violence
  • LO3. understand psychological theories of individual and group behaviour that help to explain the prevalence of 'cultures of violence'
  • LO4. demonstrate relevant academic skills including independent research, critical analysis, documentation of sources and construction of a persuasive argument
  • LO5. recognise the role of social responsibility in the prevention of violence and promotion of nonviolent alternatives.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback is very important for the design and improvement of this unit of study. In response to previous feedback, readings have been updated, the online learning experience has been improved and more class time has been allocated to learning theories before being applied to case studies.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.