Skip to main content
Unit outline_

PACS6909: Cultures of Violence

Semester 2, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines the causes and consequences of different types of violence, including war, genocide, terrorism, gender-based violence and violence associated with racial, ethnic or religious tensions. Psychosocial theories along with sociocultural, political, economic and legal factors will be considered in explaining the character and prevalence of these different types of violence. We will explore how violence has been defined and tolerated historically, along with the interconnections between direct, structural and cultural violence creating cycles of violence and ‘cultures of violence’ in local, national and international settings.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sociology and Criminology
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) Jake Lynch, jake.lynch@sydney.edu.au
Eyal Mayroz, eyal.mayroz@sydney.edu.au
Sanjay Ramesh, sanjay.ramesh@sydney.edu.au
Kosta Lucas, kostantinos.lucas@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Vivianna Rodriguez Carreon, vivianna.rodriguezcarreon@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final essay
Essay
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 14 Nov 2023 at 23:00
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Paper 1
Essay
20% Week 07
Due date: 12 Sep 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Assignment Paper 2
Essay
20% Week 11
Due date: 17 Oct 2023 at 23:00
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Online discussion
Participation
10% Weekly ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Online discussion: Students will be assessed on their participation and engagement in weekly class discussions via Zoom live chat or online Discussion Board 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 01 Introduction to Cultures and Theories of Violence Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Militarism, Media and Poetry Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 03 Identity, Ethnicity and Violence Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Crime and Punishment Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Youth and Gang Violence Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 Rape and Domestic Violence Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Cycles of Violence in Fiji Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 08 Racism and Racialised Violence Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Genocide and the Destruction of Peoples Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 10 Riots and Responses Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Terrorism and Violent Extremisim Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 12 Ecological Violence Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 13 From Cultures of Violence to Cultures of Peace Online class (2 hr) 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 tutorials 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.

Required readings

There is no required textbook or course reader. Instead, all required readings and some of the additional readings are available via the University Library eReserve list accessible via the Canvas eLearning site. A full list of required and additional readings is provided in the detailed session schedule and under each weekly module on the Canvas site. 

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 assignment weightings have been changed and the unit is now being taught on-campus across the full semester with shorter sessions and a greater variety of guest lecturers.

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.