Students

SOCI7000 – Critical Social Theory

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances, North Ryde

Notice

As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.

To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Norbert Ebert
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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.

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: identify various social theoretical approaches
  • ULO2: define and describe core theoretical concepts in the social sciences
  • ULO3: analyse and understand empirical examples with the aid of social theory
  • ULO4: develop a basic theoretical framework

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Active participation 20% No weekly
Presentation 20% No weekly
Research Essay 60% No week 12

Active participation

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: weekly
Weighting: 20%

Students will actively participatie and facilitate class discussion.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify various social theoretical approaches
  • define and describe core theoretical concepts in the social sciences

Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: weekly
Weighting: 20%

Students will present, share and discuss knowledge on a specific theoretical approach, concept or idea.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify various social theoretical approaches
  • define and describe core theoretical concepts in the social sciences

Research Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: week 12
Weighting: 60%

Building on the course material, student will develop a focused and detailed theoretical approach to a specific topic.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • identify various social theoretical approaches
  • define and describe core theoretical concepts in the social sciences
  • analyse and understand empirical examples with the aid of social theory
  • develop a basic theoretical framework

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

All resources for this unit will be available through iLearn or the library.

Unit Schedule

SOCI7000 CRITICAL SOCIAL THEORY

Week

Date

Topic

1

23/02/2021

Introduction & Welcome

 

FOUNDATIONS

2

02/03/2021

Foundational Ideas & Concepts in Social Theory

3

09/03/2021

Reoccurring Patterns & Puzzles in Social Theory

 

CLASSICAL APPROACHES (AND SHORTCOMINGS)

4

16/03/2021

Economic Determinism

5

23/03/2021

Interpretive Sociology

6

30/03/2021

Social Determinism

 

06/04/2021

Mid-session break

 

13/04/2021

Mid-session break

7

20/04/2021

Symbolic interactionism

8

27/04/2021

Social Processes and Networks

9

04/05/2021

Self & Identity

 

TOWARDS CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

10

11/05/2021

Intersectionality

11

18/05/2021

The Power of Norms

12

25/05/2021

Post-structuralism

13

01/06/2021

Conclusion: Critical Theory

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.


Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook