Students

SSCI3001 – Evaluating Complexity

2026 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer and Unit Convenor
Chris Houston
chris.houston@mq.edu.au
Contact via 98508471
Arts Precinct B214
Mondays and Fridays or by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
120cp at 1000 level or above and (SSCI2001 or SSCI2010) and (SSCI2002 or SSCI2020)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

How can social scientists apprehend and advise on matters of profound social complexity? This unit prepares students to demonstrate advanced competencies in social science theories and methods, focusing on evaluation and policy techniques. Students will engage with the challenge and change agendas confronting different populations, critiquing how these are framed by decision makers, and practising techniques for intervening and evaluating claims to social benefit or effect. Students will also critically assess influential approaches to problem definitions in policy and describe the contestability of both the issues and their stances when defending their own proposed approaches, using data as part of their analysis. Throughout the unit, ethical and practical issues that arise when designing and doing applied social science in complex contexts are considered. Students will demonstrate a commitment to the role of a professional and ethical contributor in addressing matters of social and policy concern, and the capacity to navigate the open-ended and interacting qualities of social complexity.

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: Critique and communicate how problems and issues are identified and framed in complex systems, policies and processes.
  • ULO2: Apply skills, knowledge and techniques to demonstrate advanced competency in social science theories and methods.
  • ULO3: Analyse and evaluate processes, policies and interventions to determine the veracity of claims for benefit and impact.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and engagement obligations inherent to the process and function of being a social science practitioner.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Task 1: Mess Mapping

Submission details

    • Weight: 30% 
    • Due Date/Time: 11:55pm on 03/04/2025  
    • Assessment Length: 1 page + bibliography 
    • Submission via: Turnitin 
    • Formatting details:
      • APA 7th Referencing Style
      • Font size ranging from 10 to 16 

Task overview

This individual task requires you to develop a mess map for ONE wicked problem. Your mess map should present the key political, social, cultural and/or economic dynamics of the wicked problem you have selected, as well as the interconnections between these dynamics.

Assessment Task 2: Case Study Report

Submission details

  • Weight: 40% 
  • Due Date/Time: 11:55pm on 8th May, 2025 
  • Word Count: 2,000 words + reference list 
  • Submission via: Turnitin 
  • Formatting details:
    • APA 7th Referencing Style 
    • Font size 12 
    • 1.5 line spacing

Task overview

This individual task requires you to write a 2000-word research report on the social issue that you have focused on in your mess mapping assignment.

Assessment Task 3: Evaluation Framework

Submission details

    • Weight: 30% 
    • Due Date/Time: 11:55pm on 05/06/2025 
    • Word Count: 1,500 words + reference list (& appendices) 
    • Submission via: Turnitin 
    • Formatting details
      • APA 7th Referencing style 
      • Font size 12 
      • 1.5 line spacing

Task overview

This individual task requires you to write a 1500-word research proposal that presents an evaluation framework for proposed or implemented social interventions that aims to at least partially respond to the wicked problem you selected for both the Mess Mapping and Case Study Research Report assessments.

Late Penalty

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 Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI assisted?
Mess mapping 30% No 03/04/2026 Individual No Open AI
Case study report 40% No 08/05/2026 Individual No Open AI
Evaluation framework 30% No 05/06/2026 Individual No Open AI

Mess mapping

Assessment Type 1: Creative task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 03/04/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

Select a wicked problem to create a mess map
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and communicate how problems and issues are identified and framed in complex systems, policies and processes.
  • Apply skills, knowledge and techniques to demonstrate advanced competency in social science theories and methods.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and engagement obligations inherent to the process and function of being a social science practitioner.

Case study report

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 08/05/2026
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

2000 word case study report.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and communicate how problems and issues are identified and framed in complex systems, policies and processes.
  • Apply skills, knowledge and techniques to demonstrate advanced competency in social science theories and methods.
  • Analyse and evaluate processes, policies and interventions to determine the veracity of claims for benefit and impact.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and engagement obligations inherent to the process and function of being a social science practitioner.

Evaluation framework

Assessment Type 1: Written Submission
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 05/06/2026
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?: Open AI

Evaluation framework. 1500 words
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critique and communicate how problems and issues are identified and framed in complex systems, policies and processes.
  • Apply skills, knowledge and techniques to demonstrate advanced competency in social science theories and methods.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and engagement obligations inherent to the process and function of being a social science practitioner.

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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Lectorials will be held at 3pm to 6pm on Mondays in the Group Activity Space 216 on Level 2 of Building 01 Central Courtyard from weeks 1 to 13 of semester (inclusive). 

Required and recommended resources

There is no required textbook for SSCI3001. Required readings are online available via Leganto (see below).

Technology used

Normalised technologies are used in this unit.

Email

Make sure that you regularly check your student email for correspondence with teaching staff and unit 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 will be 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.

Feedback will be made available online via Turnitin. 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 out of 100. Once you have received your assignment back, please make sure that you have access to these forms of feedback. 

ECHO Active Learning Platform

Recordings of the lectorials will be made available via the ECHO Active Learning Platform. These recordings will not necessarily cover the entire session and will become available after the session is held on Monday afternoon (typically within 24 hours). 

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.

Unit Schedule

Week Lecture Topic Discussion Topic
1 Evaluating the 'Complexity Explosion' Unit Introduction
2 Science is the Solution! But Should we Simply Follow the Science? Thought Experiment: Who wants to live in Rationalia?
3 Social Complexity, Paradoxes & Wicked problems Case Study: Religion in a Secular Age 
4 Complex Worlds Case Study: Conscientious Objection and Freedom of Religion
5 Analysing Social Complexity Case Study: Cities, Planning, and Politics
6 Analysing Complex Solutions Case Study: Cities, Habitation, and Dwelling

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 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.

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:

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 2026.01R of the Handbook