Students
SSCI1000 – Introduction to Social Science
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
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
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit convenor
Adam Stebbing
Contact via Email
By appointment
Tutor
Kate Manlik
Contact via Email
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Major issues facing Australia and the world today - including poverty, food security, climate change, inequality, the platform economy, digital surveillance, cyber crime, automation, refugee resettlement, global health and more - invariably have a social dimension. How can we respond to these complex and important issues without understanding them? This unit searches for insights into contemporary issues by surveying the social sciences. This unit has three parts. The first part introduces social science as a field of inquiry, tracing pivotal historical developments and asking what it means to think socially. The second part explores a series of contemporary issues using the lenses of different social science disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches, highlighting the distinct contributions that these perspectives offer our understanding of recent transformations. And, by reflecting on our explorations of contemporary issues, the third part concludes the unit by drawing out the close relationship between theory, methods and analysis for social science practice today. From the three parts of this unit, you will gain an insight into social scientific inquiry and contemporary issues facing our society. |
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 foundational knowledge of the relationship between theory and methodology in social scientific inquiry
- ULO2: evaluate the contributions that disciplinary and interdisciplinary social science approaches make to practical knowledge of the world around us
- ULO3: discuss the insights that social science theories and methodologies provide to understanding a major social issue
- ULO4: communicate understanding of social science theories and methods by effectively using academic and professional writing formats.
- ULO5: design and plan a program of learning to be undertaken over the duration of your bachelor degree
General Assessment Information
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is an intergral part of the core values and principles contained in the Macquarie University Ethics Statement. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:
- All academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
- All academic collaborations are acknowledged
- Academic work is not falsified in any way
- When the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately
- Self-plagiarism (resubmitting your own work - including past assignments for this or other units - without attribution) is an unacceptable academic activity
University Grading Policy
The grade that a student receives will signify their overall performance in meeting the learning outcomes of the unit of study. Graded units will use the following grades
HD High Distinction 85-100
D Distinction 75-84
Cr Credit 65-74
P Pass 50-64
F Fail 0-49
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.
Return of Marked Work
As per university policy, written assessments will be returned to students within three weeks of the submission date. Early assignments will not be marked early.
Special Consideration (Extensions)
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
- were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
- were beyond your control
- caused substantial disruption to your academic work
- substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
- lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.
More information about Special Consideration is available in the Policies and Procedures section of the unit guide.
Late Penalties
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.
Campus Wellbeing
Macquarie University offers a range of wellbeing services (including [but not limited to]: health, welfare, counselling, disability and student advocacy services) that are available to you at any time during your studies. Campus Wellbeing is here to support you and help you succeed, both academically and personally. More information is available in the Policies and Procedures section of the unit guide.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree Plan | 5% | No | Tutorial 2 & 17/08/2020 |
| Annotated Bibliography | 25% | No | 11/09/2020 |
| Active Participation | 20% | No | 03/11/2020 |
| Literature review | 50% | No | 09/11/2020 |
Degree Plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 2 hours
Due: Tutorial 2 & 17/08/2020
Weighting: 5%
Short written task
On successful completion you will be able to:
- design and plan a program of learning to be undertaken over the duration of your bachelor degree
Annotated Bibliography
Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: 11/09/2020
Weighting: 25%
750 word written task
On successful completion you will be able to:
- discuss the insights that social science theories and methodologies provide to understanding a major social issue
- communicate understanding of social science theories and methods by effectively using academic and professional writing formats.
Active Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 11 hours
Due: 03/11/2020
Weighting: 20%
Participation in unit activities
On successful completion you will be able to:
- demonstrate foundational knowledge of the relationship between theory and methodology in social scientific inquiry
- evaluate the contributions that disciplinary and interdisciplinary social science approaches make to practical knowledge of the world around us
Literature review
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 42 hours
Due: 09/11/2020
Weighting: 50%
1,500 word written task
On successful completion you will be able to:
- discuss the insights that social science theories and methodologies provide to understanding a major social issue
- communicate understanding of social science theories and methods by effectively using academic and professional writing formats.
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
Unit Sessions
Lectures will be recorded and become available online via iLearn.
Online tutorials are scheduled to run via Zoom from weeks 1 and 12 of semester (inclusive), with the exception of week 7 (due to the revision week). Please check the timetable website for information on when class sessions will run.
Required and recommended resources
The required textbook for SSCI1000 is The Quick Fix Guide to Academic Writing: How to Avoid Big Mistakes and Small Errors by Phillip C. Shon.
Other required readings are online available via Leganto (see below).
Technology used
The following technologies are used in this unit...
Make sure that you regularly check your student email for correspondence with teaching staff and course announcements.
iLearn
Important information about the weekly schedule, course readings and assessment are all available on the course iLearn page. If you do not have access, please contact IT help. You are required to check iLearn and your student email regularly for course updates and information.
Turnitin
All written assessments need to be submitted online via Turnitin only. A link to Turnitin is available via the Assessments tab on the iLearn page. Please contact the convenor if you cannot find it (do not leave it until the day of the assessment). There is no need to submit a hard copy of the assessment or to include a cover sheet.
Grademark
Feedback will be made available online via GradeMark. It will take four forms (in no particular order): specific comments in the text of your paper; overall comments; a score on a qualitative rubric (that cannot be used to calculate your mark numerically); and a numeric score. Once you have received your assignment back, please make sure that you have access to these forms of feedback.
Leganto
Leganto is the electronic system for accessing unit readings that can be accessed via the iLearn page. Readings are allocated via topic. As well as the required readings for each topic, you will find recommended and optional readings. The required readings are available in pdf or electronic format. If you are not able to access the readings, please contact the unit convenor via email.
Zoom
Zoom is an online video conferencing software package that you have access to as a student at Macquarie University. Zoom is required for compulsory tutorial sessions scheduled at particular times. It may also be used for optional sessions and/or student consultations.
Unit Schedule
Unit Schedule
The following table identifies the weekly topics for SSCI1000. More information can be found about the weekly topics and required readings on the unit iLearn page. Lectures and tutorials will be held from weeks 1 to 12 (inclusive). But, there are no classes in week 7 due to a Revision week scheduled to give you more time to work on the Annotated Bibliography.
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introducing Social Science |
| 2 | Thinking Socially: The objects of investigation |
| 3 | Living with Big Brother? Technology, surveillance & everyday life |
| 4 | Webs of Connection: Social networks in everyday life |
| 5 | The 'Good Life'? Wellbeing, happiness & quality of life |
| 6 | Uber, Robots & the Gig Economy: Working life in the digital age |
| 7 | No classes due to Revision Week |
| 8 | Building a New Life: Neigbourhoods and refugee settlement |
| 9 | Sustainable and Just Cities |
| 10 | Unlocking the Research Imagination: Theory + methods + analysis |
| 11 | What 'Counts' as Knowledge and Evidence? Introducing research paradigms |
| 12 | Two Research Traditions? Social inquiry today |
| 13 | Careers in Social Science (online session only) |
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.