Students
SOCI1000 – Introduction to Sociology: Understanding contemporary society
2025 – Session 1, Online-flexible
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Norbert Ebert
Lecturer and tutor
Hangyoung Lee
Tutor
Selvaraj Velayutham
Lecturer and tutor
Jyhene Kebsi
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
Life in the 21st century is politically, economically and culturally fast-changing, increasingly diverse and technology-driven. In this unit, you will discover how sociologists understand society through topics such as culture and the economy, power and politics, gender and sexuality, self and identity, family and generations, social inequality and class, religion and race. It provides you with new and exciting ways to understand the contemporary world and your place within it. The skills and perspectives you learn will help you communicate complex ideas effectively and provide you with the analytical skills and perspectives you need to successfully navigate the politics, labour markets and diverse cultures in our rapidly changing world. |
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: Describe key sociological concepts.
- ULO2: Demonstrate a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)
- ULO3: Summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
- ULO4: Distinguish the sociological imagination from other disciplinary approaches to analysing social issues and trends
- ULO5: Apply basic social research techniques.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing task 1 | 30% | No | 13/04/2025 |
| Quiz | 20% | No | 01/06/2025 |
| Writing task 2 | 50% | No | 01/06/2025 |
Writing task 1
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 13/04/2025
Weighting: 30%
Writing task related to sociological concepts and applied to a contemporary issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe key sociological concepts.
- Demonstrate a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)
- Summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
- Distinguish the sociological imagination from other disciplinary approaches to analysing social issues and trends
- Apply basic social research techniques.
Quiz
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 01/06/2025
Weighting: 20%
Quiz based on course materials
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe key sociological concepts.
- Distinguish the sociological imagination from other disciplinary approaches to analysing social issues and trends
Writing task 2
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 01/06/2025
Weighting: 50%
Writing task related to sociological concepts and applied to a contemporary issue.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Describe key sociological concepts.
- Demonstrate a range of generic skills useful in tertiary education and vocational settings (reading and listening; critique; relational thinking; data collection and analysis; sociological observation; theoretical awareness; written and verbal expression)
- Summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
- Distinguish the sociological imagination from other disciplinary approaches to analysing social issues and trends
- Apply basic social research techniques.
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 unit contents can be accessed via iLearn including lecture recordings, readings and other study material. To ensure a successful outcome of your studies, it is best if you regularly attend lectures and tutorials weekly.
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 2025.02 of the Handbook