HSC Depth Study: Equality and Difference

(20% of course time)

The focus of this study is the nature of equality and difference in societies and cultures.

 

Outcomes

A student:

 

H2     analyses relationships within and between social and cultural groups

H3     accounts for cultural diversity and commonality within societies and cultures

H4     evaluates continuity and change, and assesses social futures and strategies for change and the implications for societies and cultures

H5     evaluates the influence of power, authority, gender and technology on decision-making and participation in society

H7     applies appropriate language and concepts associated with society and culture

H8     selects, organises and evaluates information and sources for usefulness, validity and bias

H10 communicates information, ideas and issues using appropriate written, oral and graphic forms.

 

Content

Students learn about:

Concepts

The fundamental concepts of society, culture, persons, environment, time and the concepts of power, authority, gender and technology are to be integrated across Equality and Difference.

 

The key concepts to be integrated across Equality and Difference are:

 

•        equality                           •        conflict                                 •        ethnicity

•        social differentiation      •        cooperation                        •        ‘race’

•        prejudice                         •        discrimination                    •        hierarchy

•        human rights                   •        socioeconomic status       •        identity

•        continuity                         •        social class                        •        change

The Nature of Equality and Difference

Students develop an understanding of the nature of equality and difference through:

•      considering the nature of and aspects of commonality and difference in societies and cultures

•      considering unequal access to socially valued resources for health care, housing, education, employment and the justice system

 

Consider equality in Australia by investigating:

 

•      the meaning of equality

•      the extent to which the ideal of equality is shared by all Australians

•      equal access to resources

•      equal outcomes for all

•      inequality and its consequences, by examining different outcomes experienced by people including:

–     from different ‘racial’ or ethnic groups

–     who follow different belief systems and cultural practices

–     with a disability

–     living in urban and rural environments

–     of different ages

–     of both genders

 

Examine ways to reduce inequality

•           legislation introduced to reduce inequality — local, national and global

•           affirmative action policies

•           community initiatives

•           welfare systems

 

Examine individual and group commonality and difference:

•      the similarities that exist between people from different social and cultural groups

•      the perception of groups by other groups within society

•      influences on individuals’ perceptions of others

•      how members of groups see themselves

•      how attitudes of group members towards other groups influence behaviour

•      the role and influence of historical, political and legal forces in the generation and maintenance of social inequality, prejudice and discrimination in Australian society and culture

•      the extent to which inequality is institutionalised

 

A Focus Study

Students are required to have knowledge of the nature of commonality and difference within ONE society. They will achieve this by examining:

 

•      factors that influence commonality and difference

•      social differentiation

•      conflict and cooperation

•      power and authority

 

studied in relation to at least ONE of the following:

 

•        ‘race’ and ethnicity               •        gender                          •        social class

•        location                                  •        disability                       •        age

•        sexuality                                 •        health                            •        religion and belief

                                                                                                                  systems

 

The Future

Consider possible futures for equality and difference in the focus study society

 

•      evaluating continuity and change in relation to equality and difference

•      what are the possible futures if existing inequalities are maintained?

•      how can people with widely divergent viewpoints work together cooperatively?

•      how can desirable outcomes be achieved for all persons?

•      what can individuals and groups do to help achieve desirable outcomes?

 

Students learn to:

 

•      construct scenarios for future directions in equality and difference on a local, national and global scale

•      identify and describe equality and difference in their own lives and in the macro world

•      utilise social and cultural research methodologies by:

–     applying the methodology of case study to their research of the focus study of Equality and Difference

–     using content analysis to examine media coverage of equality and difference

•      select, organise and evaluate information and sources by utilising ONE of the following methodological tasks:

–     survey (using interview or observation or questionnaire), eg attitudes towards equality and difference

–     use statistical analysis of data relating to aspects of equality and difference

–     ethnographic study, eg a student spends time in a nursing home to study the interaction between staff and residents

–          focus group, eg to examine the extent of discrimination within the local communitySyllabus for Society and Culture: Focus study - Equality and difference

 

 

 To access more of the syllabus content for society and culture click here 

 

To go HOME.