Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Norbert Ebert
Contact via norbert.ebert@mq.edu.au
W6A 836
by appointment
Tutor
Evelyn Honeywill
Contact via evelyn.honeywill@mq.edu.au
W6A 836
by appointment
Evelyn Honeywill
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp including (12cp in SOC units and 3cp in SOC units at 300 level)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides essential sociological skills that enable you to understand contemporary societies and the lives we live in them. The goal is to guide students from sociology and other disciplines through the complexities of sociological thinking by exploring diverse areas such as work, identity, relationships, politics, racism and multiculturalism, crime, health, the environment, and the media. The unit has a strong focus on practical applications of social theory and prepares graduates to deal with and make sense of major social developments, which shape our lives and the world we live in.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Participation | 25% | ongoing |
Log Book | 35% | ongoing |
Short essay | 40% | 03/11/2015 |
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 25%
Students are required to participate in lectures and tutorials every week. Physical attendance in both is not enough. Active participation in class discussion is required on the basis of course material and topics. The participation mark is for participating in both, lectures and tutorials.
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 35%
You are required to keep a log book of the readings from week 3-7 and 9-10. What this means is that you need to write a 1 page summary of the reading(s) (one summary per reading if there is more than one) identifying the main topics, concept(s) and the main argument of the reading. Your own opinion is not required. The summary is to be submitted before the next lecture through turnitin. All readings are available through iLearn.
Due: 03/11/2015
Weighting: 40%
At the end of week 9, several essay questions will be made available out of which you have to choose and answer one. The questions will be related to the topics, readings, concepts discussed and explained in the course. The short essay is due in week 13 and has to be submitted through turnitin. You are required to use course readings mainly. There is no minimum or maximum number of references (quality over quantity). There is also no 10% rule for the word count (2000 means 2000).
This course will be delivered on campus and comprises a 2h lecture plus a 1h tutorial. Relevant information will be made available on iLearn.
1 | 28/7/2015 | NO CLASS! |
2 | 04/8/2015 | Introduction: Thinking Sociologically |
3 | 11/8/2015 | Sociology as a Science |
Elias N (1970) What is Sociology? Columbia University Press pp. 33-49. Mills C Wright (1959) The Sociological Imagination in Wrong D H and Gracey H L (eds) Readings in Introductory Sociology, Macmillan: London, pp.134-138. |
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4 | 18/8/2015 | The Rise of Modernity and Capitalism |
Marx K and Engels F (1859) 'A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy' in Wrong D H and Gracey H L (eds) Readings in Introductory Sociology, Macmillan: London, pp. 196-205. Fromm E (1961) 'Marx's Concept of Man' in Wrong D H and Gracey H L (eds) Readings in Introductory Sociology, Macmillan: London, pp. 219-227. |
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5 | 25/8/2015 | Characteristics of Modern Life |
Weber M (1967) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, in Wrong D H and Gracey H L (eds) Readings in Introductory Sociology, Macmillan: London, pp. 205-218. Weber M (1946) Essays in Sociology in Wrong D H and Gracey H L (eds) Readings in Introductory Sociology, Macmillan: London, pp. 246-252. |
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6 | 01/9/2015 | Differentiation and Integration |
Durkheim E (1951) Suicide in Wrong D H and Gracey H L (eds) Readings in Introductory Sociology, Macmillan: London, pp. 238-246. Coser L (1984) Introduction to The Division of Labour in Society, Macmillan London, pp. ix-xxiv |
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7 | 08/9/2015 | Individual and Society |
Elias N (1991) The Society of Individuals Continuum, New York / London, pp. vii-20. Mead G H (1934) Mind, Self and Society in Mizruchi E H The Substance of Sociology, Meredith Publishing Company: New York, pp. 182-189. |
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15/9/205 | mid-session break | |
22/9/2015 | mid-session break | |
8 | 29/9/2015 | Study Week |
9 | 6/10/2015 | Social Reality: Systems and Institutions |
Berger P. and Luckmann T. (1975) The Social Construction of Reality, Penguin University Books, Whitstable, pp. 64-109. | ||
10 | 13/10/2015 | Critical Theory |
Honneth, A. (2009) A Social Pathology of reason: On the Intellectual Legacy of Critical Theory, in Pathologies of Reason, Columbia University Press, p.19-42. | ||
11 | 20/10/2015 | Reading and Watching Society |
12 | 27/10/2015 | Understanding Contemporary Societies |
13 | 03/11/2015 | Essay (40%) is due |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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