Students

SSCI100 – Introduction to Social Science

2017 – S1 External

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Niko Antalffy
Contact via niko.antalffy@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit introduces students to the distinctive disciplinary perspectives of social science in theory and practice. It addresses three major themes: thinking socially (examining distinctions between natural and social sciences), the founders and foundations of social science (theory, research design and method); and the impact of social science as a force for global change (policy, planning, management and activism). Core topics and themes in the Bachelor degree are developed, highlighting available majors within the program. The unit emphasises the development of professional graduate capabilities and applied critical skills through a significant component of engaged learning.

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:

  • Understand the basic nature and processes of social scientific enquiry and methodologies
  • Develop a conceptual udnerstanding of the social sciences and its various disciplines in order to choose their Major(s)
  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us
  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY 20% No 31st March 2017
PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY 20% No 12th of May 2017
INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW 40% No 2nd of June 2017
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION 20% No Ongoing

ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Due: 31st March 2017
Weighting: 20%

 

An annotated bibliography is an organized list of sources, each of which is followed by a brief note or “annotation”.

 

These annotations do one or more of the following:

 

                  • describe the content and focus of the book or article

                  • suggest the source’s usefulness to your research

                  • evaluate its method, conclusions, or reliability

                  • record your reactions to the source.

 

Annotations are useful in helping you map an area of research, in referencing and for tracking your own ideas. As such it will help you both with your final assignment in this unit and with your further studies in your degree.

 

In this assignment you need to collect 5 references into a bibliography, all of which should be linked to the theme of ‘social science’. It’s your task to pick the actual topic (some random examples: human health and climate change, disability rights in Australia, using mixed methodology in researching the global economy, sex dating and relationships on university campuses, migration patterns in 21st century Europe, surveillance in everyday life, sport and class in Australia) . The types of references you need to include are:

 

* a book

* a book chapter

* a journal article

* a website (not the same as articles or books accessed via a computer!)

* PLUS 1 other references of any type (any of the above, or film, radio program etc, but still needs to be academic in nature!)

 

We will discuss further details of this assignment in tutorials in Weeks 2-3 to help you. Links to examples and the referencing guide will be provided in iLearn as is will be the latest, most up to date version of this document. Please always consult the more dynamic, online version of this outline for most accurate content.

 

You will be marked on the quality of your citation, picking the relevant reference types, using all the key structural elements of annotation, spelling, expression, quality of discussion on your references. More information on this will be given in tutorials.

 

You only need to submit an electronic copy via Turnitin


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the basic nature and processes of social scientific enquiry and methodologies
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us

PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY

Due: 12th of May 2017
Weighting: 20%

 

In this assignment you are required to come up with a plan for your degree that you could be pursuing for the next 3-4-5 years. First you need to outline which Majors you’ll be taking up then fill these with courses you propose to study, similarly to how you filled out your enrolment papers at the beginning of semester, but for your whole degree. Discuss the reasons for your selection of units.

 

Students will workshop in tutorials what courses they might find interesting, what each Major or Minor entails, how to use the undergraduate handbook and what their specific completed social science degree might look like.

This assignment therefore has three parts:

 

  1. Outline of plan of study. Using the template we provide you within the course, list the unit titles and codes.
  2. Select your Major(s), eg. Sociology, Anthropology etc.
  3. Justification of your choices. This is a critical reflection on the themes you’ll be studying.

• What is the focus of your research (subject and object) following this disciplinary pathway and how does it contribute to graduate skills and unit outcomes?

• What are the basic questions asked in this area (your disciplines)? What are the themes of your Major(s) and how these complement graduate capabilities?

• What is the role of your elective units and what is their place in the overall plan?

• What are your future career options and what are your aspirations, and how do these fit in with your proposed study?

 

You will be marked on the quality of your overall presentation, how well you have filled out your draft plan of study (no mistakes, coherence of pathway of study, correct codes), depth and coherence of discussion containing answers to all the above questions. You will find a more detailed rubric of marking criteria in iLearn.

Please always consult the more dynamic, online version of this outline for most accurate content.

 

Only an electronic copy needs to be submitted (no hard copies!).


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a conceptual udnerstanding of the social sciences and its various disciplines in order to choose their Major(s)
  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW

Due: 2nd of June 2017
Weighting: 40%

In this assignment you are required to pick one of three topics: inequality, gender or deviance/drugs. These topics are explored in the inter-disciplinary panels in the lectures of weeks 8-10.

 

Pick 2 disciplines from the 17 available in the Bachelor of Social Science (Anthropology, Criminology, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Philosophy, Politics, Social Justice, Sociology etc) and explore how these 2 disciplines approach your particular topic. Eg: how do Criminology and Sociology approach deviance? What concepts, theories, evidence and types of data do they use?

 

 

• First, provide a short summary of the general subject matter and nature of your 2 chosen disciplines. What do they study, how do they orient themselves?

 

• Secondly, discuss the concepts and theories used in the 2 disciplines, compare and contrast.

 

• Thirdly, discuss the types of evidence and data used in your 2 disciplines to study your chosen topic. Compare and contrast, using at least one article or case study from each. Eg. if your topic is inequality and your disciplines are Development Studies and Politics, you would find one relevant article in each of those disciplines that discuss inequality, discuss what types of evidence and data are used in each and what sort of conclusion are reached and how.

 

• Finally, discuss whether the 2 disciplines illuminate similar aspects of your chosen topic or differ greatly from each other. Do they complement each other by bringing different aspects of your topic into play?

 

You will be marked on the quality of your overall analysis, the structure of your argument, the use and range of sources of evidence used, the quality of your critical evaluation, presentation (formatting, spelling and grammar) and quality and accuracy of referencing and bibliographic details.

 

Please submit your work electronically via Turnitin only (no hard copies). You will receive your grade via Turnitin too.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the basic nature and processes of social scientific enquiry and methodologies
  • Develop a conceptual udnerstanding of the social sciences and its various disciplines in order to choose their Major(s)
  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%

For external students the whole participation component will be in online tutorials via iLearn (no lecture summaries for externals). You will be discussing the same questions and doing similar exercises to internal students. Your attendance mark of 20 will be broken down to 2 points per week, comprising of 1 point for quantity of contribution and 1 point for quality and precision of discussion, reflecting appropriate knowledge of readings and lecture materials (with weeks 2-11 counting towards this). Online tutorial contribution is COMPULSORY. You need to attempt/post answers in at least 80% of all online tutorials! They will be open 2 weeks after the actual date, but then they will be closed so you need to 'attend' your online tutorial within a fortnight of them happening face to face at university. This is to ensure that you are keeping up with the unit, you are in lock-step with internal students and that we are able to appropriately monitor and grade your online engagement/answers.

You will be assessed on your preparation that includes the completion of weekly readings and having listened to the week's lecture online. Once you have done both of these you will be in a position to attempt the online exercise, provide answers to questions and engage with both your tutor and your fellow external students. If you have any issues about participation or assessment, please approach your external tutor. If you have a bigger, unit related inquiry, please contact the unit convener.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the basic nature and processes of social scientific enquiry and methodologies
  • Develop a conceptual udnerstanding of the social sciences and its various disciplines in order to choose their Major(s)
  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us
  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

Delivery and Resources

 

Weekly readings in this course will be provided on iLearn. You need to read all weekly reading materials by the relevant week and these will provide the basis for tutorial discussion and will also aid your understanding of lectures. Please check iLearn regularly for articles and announcements.

THIS UNIT HAS AN ONLINE PRESENCE IN iLEARN, MACQUARIE'S ONLINE LEARNING SYSTEM.  YOU WILL REQUIRE ACCESS TO RELIABLE BROADBAND INTERNET AND A COMPUTER.

 

Recommended Readings:

 

Some BLOCK 1 and 2 readings are drawn from the following:

 

·       Williams, M. (2000) Science and Social Science: An Introduction, London: Routledge

·       Yin, R. K (2008) Case Study Research: Design and Methods (Applied Social Research Methods) (Fourth Edition) London: Sage.

 

Yin (2008) is a particularly good source of case study material and you are encouraged to explore it. The Co-op Bookshop on campus will have plenty of copies of this book by the end of Week 1. If they sold out you can order it there.

 

Williams (2000) will likely be useful throughout your studies. Both books can also be found in closed reserve in the library.

 

Supplemental Readings:

 

Students will find the following texts useful in supporting further learning:

 

·       Hollis, M. (1994) The Philosophy of Social Science: An Introduction (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

·       Hunt, E.F. & Colander, D.C. (2007) Social Science: An Introduction to the Study of Society (13th Edition), London: Alyn & Bacon

·       Flyvberg, B. (2001) Making Social Science Matter: Why Enquiry Fails and How it can Succeed Again, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

·       May, T. (2001) Social Research: Issues, Methods and Processes (Third Edition) Buckingham and Philadelphia: Open University Press

·       Perry, J. & Perry, E. (2008) Contemporary Society: An Introduction to Social Science (12th Edition), London: Alyn & Bacon

·       Wallerstein, I. (Ed.) (1996) Open the Social Sciences: Report of the Gulbenkian Commission on the Restructuring of the Social Sciences, USA: Stanford University Press

·       Yin, R.K. (1994) The Case Study Anthology, London: Sage

 

Weekly readings will be provided where possible in advance for all students in this unit; guest session readings (Lectures 6-10) will be provided as early as possible in the term.

 

Further reading will enhance your ability to discuss the topics in class and is recommended for increasing the depth of your assignments and overall critical thinking.

 

Library catalogue – you can check the library catalogue for any text in the library on your computer or go into the library itself. Many resources are available online through web journals, subscriptions and electronic holdings. Check availability in the online catalogue, at terminals in the library itself or by checking with library staff.

 

Library help desk – check the times of library opening hours and go and ask, people are willing to help you. You have access to the Macquarie library so use it! You may think that libraries are irrelevant in a digital age, but once you delve into your studies, you are likely to find that they have their place in learning. Most books haven’t been digitised, most recent writings aren’t always the best, exploring nearby areas of knowledge on shelves is highly useful as is consulting librarians, and finally, doing online searches only will seriously limit both your information base and your scope and understanding. All this may change in the future, but for now libraries serve important functions. You are paying for it, use it!

 

Online search engines – websites such as Google can have search engines specifically for academic work as well as related websites, check Google Scholar online and www.Scopus.com. MQ library also has links to articles and chapters through its electronic resources and online subscriptions sections. Check these out. Doing a simple Google search is not even vaguely adequate for university studies, so please learn to use these resources.

Unit Schedule

Week 1

The Bachelor of Social Science: the degree, disciplines and study

Introduction to Social Science: what does this unit do for me?

 

Week 2

Natural or Social Science? The Origins of Enquiry

What is Social Scientific Knowledge? Introducing Epistemology

 

Week 3

Social Science as Research. The role of Theory and Method

What is Proof? Data and Evidence in the Social Sciences

 

Week 4

The Case Study (1) …as a Research Strategy

The Case Study (2). The Design of Case Study Research

 

Week 5

The Case Study (3). Methods of Case Study Research

The Case Study (4). Applications of Case Study Research

 

Week 6

Interpreting data

 

Week 7

Social issues: snapsots in Social Science

 

*RECESS* *RECESS* *RECESS*

 

Week 8

Inter-disciplinary panel on inequality.

 

Week 9

Inter-disciplinary panel on gender.

 

Week 10 Inter-disciplinary panel on deviance and drugs.

 

Week 11

Summary + review

Preparation for the final assignment

Tips, tricks and your questions answered

 

Week 12

Employment Panel

 

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

  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us

Assessment task

  • ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

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

  • Develop a conceptual udnerstanding of the social sciences and its various disciplines in order to choose their Major(s)
  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

Assessment tasks

  • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY
  • INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW

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 outcome

  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

Assessment tasks

  • PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY
  • ATTENDANCE AND 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

  • Understand the basic nature and processes of social scientific enquiry and methodologies
  • Develop a conceptual udnerstanding of the social sciences and its various disciplines in order to choose their Major(s)
  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

Assessment tasks

  • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW

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

  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us

Assessment tasks

  • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY
  • INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW

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

  • Understand the basic nature and processes of social scientific enquiry and methodologies
  • Understand the connections between theory and research within the social sciences
  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us

Assessment tasks

  • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY
  • INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW
  • ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION

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 outcome

  • Design a course of study and pathway through the social science degree, enabling independence and autonomy

Assessment tasks

  • ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
  • PLAN FOR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY
  • INTER-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW
  • ATTENDANCE AND 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 outcome

  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us

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 outcome

  • Develop critical analytical skills that underpin research and understanding the world around us