Students
SOCX866 – Work and Employment
2016 – S2 OUA
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Norbert Ebert
Evelyn Honeywill
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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
Work and employment are basic social experiences. How can we understand them and why are they so important to us? This unit will search for answers by applying sociological key-concepts to contemporary Work and Employment issues. The unit consists of three parts. The first part examines the relevance of work for individuals and society. In the second part, we investigate the organisation of Work and Employment on a political, organisational and individual level. The final part deals with our experience of work. It contemplates the future of work in terms of work-life balance and the chances for individuals' self-realisation. On the basis of those three parts students will gain a clear understanding of work and employment in contemporary societies that will benefit their own careers as well as their understanding of society in general.
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Identify, understand and apply a range of sociological theories and concepts in the areas of work and employment
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due | Groupwork/Individual | Short Extension | AI assisted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Review | 20% | 5pm Monday 15/08/2016 Week 6 | No | ||
| Essay Proposal | 20% | 5pm Monday 19/09/2016 Week 10 | No | ||
| Essay | 40% | 5pm Monday 10/10/2015 Week 13 | No | ||
| Participation and Engagement | 20% | Ongoing | No |
Review
Due: 5pm Monday 15/08/2016 Week 6
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
A concise 800 word review of the following article:
Calhoun, Craig (1992) ‘The Infrastructure of Modernity. Indirect Social Relationships, Information Technology, and Social Integration’, in Haferkamp, Hans and Smelser Neil J. (eds.) Social Change and Modernity, Berkeley: University of California Press, pp. 205-236.
(PDF of article available on the unit iLearn page under 'Assessment Materials and Guidelines' tab)
The review should take the form of a very short essay; developing an argument with a clear introduction and conclusion. Student work should demonstrate a sound understanding of the key ideas raised in the text and a critical reflection of the text’s strengths and weaknesses. Secondary research is not required for this task, however all sources cited must be referenced properly.
For more detailed guidelines on writing a review please view documents under 'Assessment Materials and Guidelines' tab.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
Essay Proposal
Due: 5pm Monday 19/09/2016 Week 10
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
This task is designed to prepare you for your final essay. You will need to choose 1 (ONE) of the essay questions provided on iLearn.
For this task you are required to write an outline that structures your final essay and clearly demonstrates how you intend to answer your chosen essay question. There is no prescribed number of references. Ensure, however, that you engage with relevant literature, including the course material/resources. Your proposal should not exceed 800 words. Turnitin submission is required.
Essay Questions can be found under the 'Assessment Materials and Guidelines' tab.
Important Note:
Feedback on your essay proposal will be provided (via student email account). This feedback will be tailored in order support you in your preparations for the Final Essay. Students are required to take on board and implement the recommendations provided in preparing their final essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, understand and apply a range of sociological theories and concepts in the areas of work and employment
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
Essay
Due: 5pm Monday 10/10/2015 Week 13
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
As per preparation from task 2 (essay proposal), you are required to write an essay of 2,000 words that explores the question chosen in task 2. Turnitin submission is required.
The question approached must be the same question used in task 2.
As per the Proposal Task, Essay Questions can be found under the Assessment Materials and Guidelines' tab.
Some Generic tips on essay writing can be found under the 'Assessment Materials and Guidelines' tab.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify, understand and apply a range of sociological theories and concepts in the areas of work and employment
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Participation and Engagement
Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension 3: No
AI assisted?:
The participation and engagement component of the course requires students to demonstrate in-depth and continued contributions to the weekly discussions. Each week the tutor will post a short blurb covering aspects of the lecture and/or required reading(s), along with questions designed to directly stimulate peer discussion.
Within the discussion posts for the corresponding week you are required to address the question(s) posed by the tutor using the course material and highlight your understanding of the topics/concepts dealt with by reflecting upon external examples. External examples might include current or past local and global news, and/or entertainment (TV, movies and Internet content) or literature that you have come across.
To achieve a high mark for this task you need to address the question(s) posed, demonstrate your comprehension of the weekly topics/concepts by reflecting on external examples and engage with your peers by way of comments and/ further questions.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Participation in discussion boards must be made within two weeks of the initial posting. Discussion posts submitted after this time will result in a penalised grade.
There is no required "word limit" for participation and engagement. Students, however, are expected to demonstrate sustained weekly contributions that satisfy the above specifications.
Notwithstanding the pointers above, remember that the discussion boards are exactly that, places for discussion. It is therefore not necessary to contribute your thoughts in academic prose, try to keep it conversational and be accommodating for your fellow students.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Delivery and Resources
All course material and resources will be provided online through the iLearn page.
Policies and Procedures
Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide
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.
Extension Request
Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)
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.
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
- Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
- Fill in your relevant details
- Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
- Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
OUA Specific Policies and Procedures
Withdrawal from a unit after the census date
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of 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/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
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 improve your marks and take control of your study.
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
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.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Assessment tasks
- Review
- Essay Proposal
- Essay
- Participation and Engagement
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify, understand and apply a range of sociological theories and concepts in the areas of work and employment
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Assessment tasks
- Review
- Essay Proposal
- Essay
- Participation and Engagement
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify, understand and apply a range of sociological theories and concepts in the areas of work and employment
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
Assessment tasks
- Review
- Essay Proposal
- Essay
- Participation and Engagement
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify, understand and apply a range of sociological theories and concepts in the areas of work and employment
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
Assessment tasks
- Essay Proposal
- Essay
- Participation and Engagement
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Draw upon independent reading and research to develop a sociological argument about a particular area of Work and Employment
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Assessment tasks
- Review
- Essay Proposal
- Essay
- Participation and Engagement
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critically engage with the course content and demonstrate this in written assessment and participation in discussion forums
- Further develop academic writing skills in a variety of formats
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning Work and Employment and reflect upon their personal understanding and experience through a sociological lens
Assessment tasks
- Review
- Essay Proposal
- Essay
- Participation and Engagement