Students

SOC 222 – Theories of Modernity

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Pauline Johnson
Contact via pauline.johnson@mq.edu.au
W6A 833
email for appointment
Sandey Fitzgerald
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Modernity is characterised by a number of specific developments such as: democracy, capitalism, industrialism, nationalism, individualism and bureaucratisation. These are partly antagonistic, partly complementary tendencies. In this unit we will be examining these diverse trends through the prism of a range of classical theories of modern society. We will consider from among the following: Marx, Nietzsche, Weber, Durkheim, Mead, the Frankfurt School and Foucault. None of these has the key but we suggest that all remain a vital source of illumination into tendencies and potentials of the contemporary 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:

  • learn how to think sociologically
  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

General Assessment Information

All four tutorial exercises are to be to be submitted via Turnitin by 5pm on the due dates.

Journal entries should be completed within each week where possible. All journal entries must be completed by 5pm Friday of Week 13 unless a Special Consideration request has been approved, providing an extension.

Essay Format:  All Tutorial Exercises should be formatted as a formal essay. Font: Times New Roman or Palatino Linotype; Font size: 12; Line spacing: min 1.5; Margins: Left: 3cm; Right: 3cm; Top: 2.5cm; Bottom: 2.5cm (Remember, it is in your interests to make your work as easy for the marker to read as possible).

Submission: Turnitin

Late Submission Penalty

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.

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation and Journal 30% No Ongoing
Tutorial Exercise 1 15% No Friday of Week 4
Tutorial Exercise 2 15% No Friday of Week 6
Tutorial Exercise 3 20% No Friday of Week 9
Tutorial Exercise 4 20% No Friday of Week 13

Participation and Journal

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 30%

Participation, consisting of attendance, considered engagement in tutorial discussions and the keeping of a weekly online journal

This unit requires building up your skills in reading some challenging social theory and you will need to come to all classes (lectures and tutorials). The tutorials are the place where you can prepare yourself for the written tutorial exercises. They require your attendance and your participation. They are your “space” where you can raise questions, discuss and clarify readings, concepts or other questions around the unit. Only you can make the tutorial work for yourself. Thus, you will need to prepare for each class. This will mean doing the readings for each week and attending the lecture.

In addition to attendance at lectures and participation in the tutorials you are required to keep a weekly online journal. This takes the form of a weekly blog, visible only to you and the tutor. There is a link provided in each week of the unit in iLearn. Each week's entry should be no more than about a page and a half, and contain your reflections on the lectures, tutorials and the readings, and any questions that come to your mind as you prepare for each week's tutorial. It may also contain comments about topics, summaries of the readings or questions that emerge from the tutorials and lectures as we work through the course week by week. In this way, the journal becomes a resource that you build throughout the course, which can be drawn on for the Tutorial Exercises.

IMPORTANT NOTE: if you expect to have significant difficulty in meeting the requirements of this assessment task because of limited access to the internet or other major disruptions or disability, please contact the tutor at the beginning of the course or as soon as you become aware of the problem so that arrangements for this task can be discussed. This will require documentation/disclosure of the circumstances.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • learn how to think sociologically
  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Tutorial Exercise 1

Due: Friday of Week 4
Weighting: 15%

The task is to choose one (1) of the provided questions from a week before the due date of the exercise (i.e. from Weeks 2 to 3) and answer it in a fully referenced essay of 600 words by using lecture material and required reading(s). Your focus should be on the required reading. Only use the suggested readings as provided in the outline if you think it necessary for clarification. The essay must also include reference to the relevance of at least one of the Key Themes of Modernity as outlined in Lecture 1. 600 words is not much. You will need to be concise and get straight to the point. We are not asking for a summary of the chosen theorist's work but we are asking you to work out and explain a specific idea about modern societies as developed by the theorist.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • learn how to think sociologically
  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Tutorial Exercise 2

Due: Friday of Week 6
Weighting: 15%

Tutorial Exercise 2

Due: Friday of Week 6 Weighting: 15%

The task is to choose one (1) of the provided questions from a week before the due date of the exercise (i.e. from Weeks 2- 5) and answer it in a fully referenced essay of 600 words by using the lecture material and required reading(s). Please note you must choose a theorist that you did not select for the first exercise. Only use the suggested readings as provided in the outline if you think it necessary: your focus should be on the required reading. The essay must include reference to the relevance of at least one of the Key Themes of Modernity as outlined in Lecture 1. Remember to be concise and get straight to the point as you work out and explain a specific idea about modern societies as developed by the chosen theorist.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • learn how to think sociologically
  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Tutorial Exercise 3

Due: Friday of Week 9
Weighting: 20%

The task is to choose one (1) of the provided questions from a week before the due date of the exercise (i.e. from Weeks 6 to 8) and answer it in a fully referenced essay of 600 words by using lecture material, the required reading(s) and suggested readings as provided in the outline if you think it necessary. The difference between this exercise and exercises 1 and 2 is that your response must include a comparison between two of the theorists in the unit, as well as the connection to at least one of the Key Themes of Modernity outlined in Lecture 1. It should also demonstrate that you have read the feedback on the previous two exercises and attempted to address any shortcomings in those exercises.

Remember: you need to be concise and get straight to the point. Don't summarise any more than you need to in order to work out and explain a specific idea about modern societies as developed by the theorist in relation to a Key Theme.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • learn how to think sociologically
  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Tutorial Exercise 4

Due: Friday of Week 13
Weighting: 20%

The task is to choose one (1) of the provided questions from a week before the due date of the exercise (i.e. from Weeks 9 to 12) and answer it in a fully referenced essay of 600 words by using lecture material, the required reading(s) and suggested readings as provided in the outline if you think it necessary. The difference between this exercise and exercises 1 and 2 is that your response must include a comparison between two of the theorists in the unit, as well as the connection to at least one of the Key Themes of Modernity outlined in Lecture 1, and it should demonstrate that you have addressed any shortcomings raised by the marker of Exercise 3.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • learn how to think sociologically
  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Delivery and Resources

Technologies used. This unit has a presence on ilearn (ilearn.mq.edu.au) and you will be required to have regular access to a reliable broadband internet connection and a computer.

Weekly Readings

You will find these listed in your online unit in iLearn.

 

 

Unit Schedule

You will find a course calendar in your iLearn unit.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

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

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • read and write critically

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • learn how to think sociologically
  • read and write critically

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • learn how to think sociologically
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • learn how to think sociologically
  • develop writing, research and analytical skills
  • read and write critically
  • learn to communicate your own ideas simply and directly

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • learn how to apply those concepts in everyday life

Assessment tasks

  • Participation and Journal
  • Tutorial Exercise 1
  • Tutorial Exercise 2
  • Tutorial Exercise 3
  • Tutorial Exercise 4

Changes since First Published

Date Description
14/03/2018 A change in the details of tutorial assignment 2 dues week 6. In the new version students are able to select their topics from weeks 2 to 5 ( as long as this is not the same theorist as was chosen for exercise 1).