POL340: Politics, the Community and the Common Good

Overview

Community engagement and community empowerment issues have become matters of critical public debate in recent times. Universities develop and initiate community engagement policies and programs; government agencies attempt to involve communities in decision-making and corporations engage in similar processes.

This subject looks at how and why community engagement has become an important social issue. It also examines those processes which could lead to community empowerment. It uses case studies to interrogate these issues as well as prominent public figures who can provide a diverse range of analyses of engagement and empowerment.

POL340 takes the concept of community engagement one step further. Instead of seeing community engagement as something we do outside the University, this subject brings the community into the University.

By attracting speakers of international eminence, we show that we are well placed to offer subjects such this.

This subject is in line with the time honoured role that a university has in its community – universities have a mission to do good in a community This subject will do good and will enhance our university’s reputation of having a strong civic mission.

A strong list of prominent speakers will give lectures and answer questions.

Lecture schedule

Lectures are free and open to the public
When: 13:30 to 15:30, Mondays and Wednesdays
Where: Building 20, Theatres 4 & 5, University of Wollongong
Campus Map »

Monday 14 December - Community engagement at local level Graham Larcombe

Wednesday 16 December - Legal and justice system [tba]

Monday 21 December - The Australian political landscape John Falzon and John Hatton

Wednesday 23 December - Social justice: Law, politics and government 

Thursday 24 December to 1 January RECESS (no lectures)

Monday 4 January - The legal system Michael Kirby and John Mant

Wednesday 6 January - Corruption and barriers to exposure of truth Katrina Clifford

Monday 11 January - Community building and empowerment Monica Barone and Phil Pearce

Wednesday 13 January - Dealing with defective processes, structures and ethics: options for positive action John Hatton

Monday 18 January - Parliamentary accountability and functioning Harry Evans

Wednesday 20 January - Activism and confronting inequities in the system Tony Vinson and Glenn Mitchell

Monday 25 January - Community empowerment & role of private sector Dick Smith

Wednesday 27 January - Beneath Black Skies and towards a bright future: drawing the threads together Sandra Pires, John Hatton, Stephen Hill & Glenn Mitchell

Note: Tutorials are also scheduled after the lectures on both Mondays and Wednesdays.

For further information contact Dr Glenn Mitchell:
[p] +61 2 42213723
[e] gmitchel@uow.edu.au