Students
SSCI3004 – Becoming a Change Maker
2025 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convener
Ben Spies-Butcher
Lecturer
Jessica McLean
Lecturer
Richard Carter-White
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including (30cp from SSCI3001, POIR3060, SSCI2010, SSCI2001, SSCI2020, SSCI2002, SOC224, SSC200 and SSCI200).
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
SSCI3010 or SSCI3002
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
How can social scientists drive the change they want to see in the world? Students will experience how a particular phenomenon can be addressed from more than one approach and appreciate how working across boundaries and differences can generate better solutions. This unit encourages students to harness and showcase their skills as social change makers working in team projects. With input from academic, community and industry leaders, and learning communities developed across the degree, students will research, analyse, and present solutions to a driving concern emerging from their 'grand challenge' majors. Student groups will identify, plan, implement and evaluate a project to address the identified problem, and disseminate their findings. On completion, students will be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge and skills as social scientifically oriented thinkers and change agents. |
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: Apply leadership and organisational skills to successfully complete a project in a real life setting.
- ULO2: Collaborate effectively with peers and subject matter experts to design, deliver and implement a project that addresses an identified problem.
- ULO3: Demonstrate knowledge, skill and capacity to harness interdisciplinary perspectives in addressing and proposing solutions to complex social issues.
- ULO4: Research, analyse, and present solutions to a significant issue or challenge drawing insights from their major
- ULO5: Communicate approaches and findings in effective and engaging formats.
- ULO6: Reflect on the development of their knowledge, skills and experience in operating as a social scientist.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of '0' (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl. essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeholder briefing and pitch | 40% | No | Pitch in class Wk 6, Stakeholder briefing Sept 8 |
| Group Presentation | 20% | No | in class Wk 12 |
| Portfolio | 40% | No | Nov 7 |
Stakeholder briefing and pitch
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Pitch in class Wk 6, Stakeholder briefing Sept 8
Weighting: 40%
Individual stakeholder briefing (1500 words) and group pitch to stakeholder (5 mins).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply leadership and organisational skills to successfully complete a project in a real life setting.
- Collaborate effectively with peers and subject matter experts to design, deliver and implement a project that addresses an identified problem.
- Demonstrate knowledge, skill and capacity to harness interdisciplinary perspectives in addressing and proposing solutions to complex social issues.
- Research, analyse, and present solutions to a significant issue or challenge drawing insights from their major
Group Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: in class Wk 12
Weighting: 20%
Media presentation for a wider audience. 10 minutes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply leadership and organisational skills to successfully complete a project in a real life setting.
- Collaborate effectively with peers and subject matter experts to design, deliver and implement a project that addresses an identified problem.
- Demonstrate knowledge, skill and capacity to harness interdisciplinary perspectives in addressing and proposing solutions to complex social issues.
- Research, analyse, and present solutions to a significant issue or challenge drawing insights from their major
Portfolio
Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Nov 7
Weighting: 40%
Professional writing, reflective writing, poster.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Apply leadership and organisational skills to successfully complete a project in a real life setting.
- Collaborate effectively with peers and subject matter experts to design, deliver and implement a project that addresses an identified problem.
- Demonstrate knowledge, skill and capacity to harness interdisciplinary perspectives in addressing and proposing solutions to complex social issues.
- Research, analyse, and present solutions to a significant issue or challenge drawing insights from their major
- Communicate approaches and findings in effective and engaging formats.
- Reflect on the development of their knowledge, skills and experience in operating as a social scientist.
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
External classes will be via Zoom on Tuesday afternoons 4-7pm.
Internal classes will be held in 25WWA 210 on Thursday afternoons 4-7pm.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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 2025.04 of the Handbook