Students
SOCI703 – Social Theory
2017 – S1 Evening
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Norbert Ebert
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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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 an advanced introduction to core social theories and is open to students from all disciplines. The focus is on the relationship between social theory and empirical research as an essential and meaningful skill for postgraduate research in various disciplines. The candidate will acquire an advanced understanding of social theory and an awareness of how theory is informed by but also informs empirical research. The design of the unit takes into account students’ own research plans and designs and provides them with the competence to apply both theoretical and empirical research skills.
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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:
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | 20% | No | ongoing |
| research | 40% | No | weekly |
| Review essay | 40% | No | week 13 09/06/2017 |
Participation
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Participating in class discussion is essential. This means not only to be there in person, but to come prepared (readings) and participate in dicussions. Your consistent and continues input is required.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
research
Due: weekly
Weighting: 40%
This assignment has two components:
1) Every student needs to be prepared to lead the discussion every week on the basis of a summary of the set weekly reading. At the beginning of the class we will chose one person as the presenter for this week (over duration of the course everyone will need to present twice) The summary needs to
- identify the main area of research / school / approach / topic / theme (keywords)
- explain the main argument in your own words
- identify another major reading in the set reading and introduce it briefly on the basis of a book review or similar (email to convenor together with handout before class)
- raise discussion points
- relate to contemporary example(s)
2) A handout (no longer than 2 pagers) needs to be prepared by every student and emailed to the convenor before class. After class the presenter of the week adds a summary / refines the handout on the basis of the class discussion and sends it to the convenor who posts it on iLearn for everyone.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
Review essay
Due: week 13 09/06/2017
Weighting: 40%
The final assignment is a review essay. Your first task is to identify a book in consultation with the unit convenor that is central to your research interests (does not need to be a purely theoretical book). You then review/assess this book on the basis of the weekly material from the course.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
Delivery and Resources
All course material will be made available through iLearn and the university library.
Unit Schedule
|
Week |
Date |
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Week 1 |
01/03/2017 |
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Week 2 |
08/03/2017 |
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Week 3 |
15/03/2017 |
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Week 4 |
22/03/2017 |
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Week 5 |
29/03/2017 |
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Week 6 |
05/04/2017 |
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Week 7 |
12/04/2017 |
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mid-session break |
19/04/2017 |
|
mid-session break |
26/04/2017 |
|
Week 8 |
03/05/2017 |
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Week 9 |
10/05/2017 |
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Week 10 |
17/05/2017 |
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Week 11 |
24/05/2017 |
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Week 12 |
31/05/2017 |
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Week 13 |
07/06/2017 |
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final assignment due |
09/06/2017 |
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
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- research
- Review essay
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
Assessment tasks
- research
- Review essay
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- research
- Review essay
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- The unit provides a fundamental understanding of various theoretical approaches in social theory. The link between social theory and its application plays a central role in this. The aim is to develop skills to not only research and identify particular social theories, but to use them to interpret and analyze everyday life.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- research
- Review essay