Students
SOCI3090 – Understanding Contemporary Societies
2020 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Harry Blatterer
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including (10cp in SOC or SOCI units at 2000 level or above)
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
Change, some people say, is the only constant in life. How can we make sense of it? This unit provides essential skills and knowledge that enable you to understand contemporary societies and the lives we live in them. The goal is to explore a variety of topics such as work, identity, relationships, politics, diversity and the private sphere. The unit has a strong focus on practical applications and prepares students to deal with and make sense of major social developments, which shape our lives and the world we live in. |
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:
- ULO1: demonstrate an understanding of a range of sociological perspectives on social life from the 19th century to the present.
- ULO2: apply key sociological concepts to the study of contemporary societies.
- ULO3: analyse a contemporary social issue using sociological theories
- ULO4: effectively communicate complex ideas in written form.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| weekly online discussion | 20% | No | Ongoing |
| Research essay | 40% | No | Week 7 |
| Final essay | 40% | No | Week 13 |
weekly online discussion
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
On the basis of the provided course contents students are expected to actively engage in weekly online discussion with each other.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of a range of sociological perspectives on social life from the 19th century to the present.
- apply key sociological concepts to the study of contemporary societies.
- analyse a contemporary social issue using sociological theories
- effectively communicate complex ideas in written form.
Research essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 40%
The aim of this assessment task is threefold: (1) to gauge your comprehension of the perspectives and concepts covered thus far; (2) to get you to think about connecting theoretical material to contemporary social issues; (3) to prepare you for your final assessment task.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of a range of sociological perspectives on social life from the 19th century to the present.
- apply key sociological concepts to the study of contemporary societies.
- analyse a contemporary social issue using sociological theories
- effectively communicate complex ideas in written form.
Final essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%
The aim of this assessment task is for you to show your ability to apply the perspectives and concepts we have discussed to a *real-life* issue. a) pick a sociological concept or approach from one of the weeks and define it clearly. b) pick and briefly describe a social issue you would like to interpret and analyse. c) interpret and analyse (b) with (a) Your example can be sourced from a novel, an article, a video clip, film, etc. The most important point is relevance and a clear connection between the example and the sociological perspective you have chosen.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of a range of sociological perspectives on social life from the 19th century to the present.
- apply key sociological concepts to the study of contemporary societies.
- analyse a contemporary social issue using sociological theories
- effectively communicate complex ideas in written form.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit has a presence on ilearn (ilearn.mq.edu.au) and you will be required to have regular access to a reliable broadband internet connection and a computer.
Please refer to the iLearn page regularly.
There are weekly readings and discussion questions listed on iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.