Students

SOC 175 – Australian Society

2017 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Amanda Wise
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This is an exciting and innovative unit about Australian life and global societies. It also provides new and engaging ways to develop your understanding of the deep social relationships that bind us together and which, at the same time, underlie the expression of conflict and inequality. We focus in the unit on key areas of social life such as family, gender and sexuality, religion, age, crime, media, work, globalisation and social policy. We also introduce you to sociology and the sociological research process and hope to raise your interest in the social problems and questions confronting Australian society. The unit gives you valuable vocational skills that enable you to enjoy interesting and varied employment in a variety of different commercial, government and non-government positions.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
The Sociological Imagination 20% No week 6
Research Essay 1 30% No week 8
Research Essay 2 40% No week 12
Participation 10% No Ongoing

The Sociological Imagination

Due: week 6
Weighting: 20%

This assessment task is designed to help students understand the key epistemology in sociology by way of an analysis of CW Mills' founding text.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Research Essay 1

Due: week 8
Weighting: 30%

An essay based on set questions


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Research Essay 2

Due: week 12
Weighting: 40%

An essay based on set questions


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

Graded active participation in tutorials


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Delivery and Resources

1x2 hour lecture per week. Lectures will be recorded.

1x1 hour tutorial per week.

Policies and Procedures

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_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment tasks

  • The Sociological Imagination
  • Research Essay 1
  • Research Essay 2
  • Participation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment tasks

  • The Sociological Imagination
  • Research Essay 1
  • Research Essay 2
  • Participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment tasks

  • The Sociological Imagination
  • Research Essay 1
  • Research Essay 2
  • Participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment tasks

  • Research Essay 1
  • Research Essay 2

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment tasks

  • The Sociological Imagination
  • Research Essay 1
  • Research Essay 2
  • Participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)

Assessment task

  • Participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)