The central concern of Society is the interaction of persons, societies, cultures, environments and time.

Society and Culture draws on cross-disciplinary concepts and social research methodologies from anthropology, communication, cultural studies, media studies, philosophy, psychology, social ecology and sociology.

Society and Culture has direct relevance to the immediate needs of students and to their future lives by enabling students to develop understanding of:

• themselves
• their own society and culture
• the societies and cultures of others.

Students are provided with the necessary concepts, skills, competencies and knowledge to encourage a process of independent thinking that may be used to explain patterns of behaviour, solve problems and actively contribute to local, national and global levels of
society.

Society and Culture is a conceptually based course that promotes students’ awareness of
the cultural continuities and changes within societies and cultures. It provides them with
skills to critically analyse complementary and contrasting viewpoints about people,
societies, cultures and environments, and their interactions across time. Society and
Culture promotes an awareness of the nature of power and authority, gender, technology
and facilitates intercultural understanding.

The emphasis on individual study and group work within Society and Culture encourages
students to manage their own learning, as well as providing experience of working within
teams. In allowing students to work in areas of direct relevance to their lives, Society and
Culture contributes greatly to the ethos of lifelong learning, while providing opportunities to
acquire a range of skills to support such learning.

The study of Society and Culture prepares students for adult life by developing qualities
associated with effective citizenship. In so doing, it forms a basis for moving towards a
more just society through positive participation in community life and, social and cultural
literacy.