Students

SOC 175 – Australian and Global Societies

2019 – S1 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Amanda Wise
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This is an exciting and innovative unit about Australian life and global societies. It also provides new and engaging ways to develop your understanding of the deep social relationships that bind us together and which, at the same time, underlie the expression of conflict and inequality. We focus in the unit on key areas of social life such as family, gender and sexuality, religion, age, crime, media, work, globalisation and social policy. We also introduce you to sociology and the sociological research process and hope to raise your interest in the social problems and questions confronting Australian society. The unit gives you valuable vocational skills that enable you to enjoy interesting and varied employment in a variety of different commercial, government and non-government positions.

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:

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

General Assessment Information

WORD LIMITS:  Word limits DO NOT include bibliography.  You maybe +/- 10% word limit.

LATE 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.

ASSIGNMENT EXTENSIONS: Will only be granted via a formal special consideration application.

ON CAMPUS PARTICIPATION: You are required to attend 80% of the tutorials to pass. In practice this means that you may only miss 2 tutorials in a semester. Only absence for medical reasons is legitimate. For other absences (e.g. off campus prac requirements for another unit) please discuss with your tutor alternative options. (e.g. participating as an external student that week or attending another tutorial for a day). 

EXTERNAL PARTICIPATION: External students may miss no more than 2 weekly submissions to the online discussion boards. Online participation will officially commence in Week 1 and end in Week 12. You must enter a minimum of ONE posting PER WEEK of 250 words + a question- PLUS Interact with the discussion at least TWICE during the week. See iLearn for further details.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% Yes Ongoing
University Study Skills module 5% No Week 5
The Sociology Game 25% No Week 8
Weekly Quiz 30% Yes Weekly from week 2 through 12
Essay 30% No Week 12

Participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Graded active participation in tutorials, evidence of reading and lecture attendance, participation in learning assistance activities. External students are graded on online discussion boards - including a weekly summary and interaction in forums. See iLearn for instructions.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

University Study Skills module

Due: Week 5
Weighting: 5%

Students must work through the online USS Onine Studies Skills module, then take three quizzes based on its content. Grade for this assessment is the average of three quizzes.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life

The Sociology Game

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 25%

In groups, students are tasked with designing a board game to reflect themes discussed in the first half of SOC175. These are presented online in Adobe Spark. Each group member independently submits a reflective text explaining the rationale for the game design and logic linking to key sociological concepts from Weeks 1-6.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Weekly Quiz

Due: Weekly from week 2 through 12
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Weekly online quiz testing concepts from readings and lectures across the unit. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Essay

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

An essay based on set questions. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Delivery and Resources

INTERNAL: 1x2 hour lecture per week.  1x1 hour tutorial per week.

EXTERNAL: 1x2 hour recorded lecture per week Weekly participation in online tutorials discussion groups.

Unit Schedule

  • Week 1 Introduction - The Sociological Imagination

  • Week 2 Modernity and Sociology - / Durkheim

  • Week 3 - What do Sociologists do?

  • Week 4 - Social Inequality, Class and Stratification

  • Week 5 -  Work, Employment & Society

  • Week 6  - Globalisation

  • Week 7 - Group Project

  • Week 8 - Race, Ethnicity, Migration

  • Week 9 - Gender and Sexuality

  • Week 10 - Social Movements and Social Change

  • Week 11 - Religion & Society

  • Week 12 - Sociological Futures

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 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 ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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 outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • University Study Skills module
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • University Study Skills module
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • University Study Skills module
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • University Study Skills module
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Develop a basic understanding of social research techniques, especially qualitative methods
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

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 outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Be familiar with key sociological concepts
  • Have developed an understanding of theoretical perspectives on social life
  • Develop an understanding fo how the sociological imagination can be used in thinking about social issues and trends
  • Be able to read, summarise and apply basic works of sociology to the study of contemporary life
  • Have developed a rich understanding of social life
  • Have developed 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)

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • The Sociology Game
  • Weekly Quiz
  • Essay

Textbook

COMPULSORY TEXTBOOK:  Furze, Brian et al. (2015) Sociology in Today's World. 3rd Edition. CE Engage Learning.  Hard copies are available at Co-Op bookstore on campus. E-books may be purchased from the publisher. See iLearn.

Changes since First Published

Date Description
19/02/2019 Change to quiz timing