SOC1000 Approaches to the Social Sciences

SOC	1000	67393	2, 2007	EXT	Approaches to the Social Sciences	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOART
Academic org:	FOA003
Student contribution band:	1
ASCED code:	090301

Staffing
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Malcolm Brown
Moderator: Lara Lamb

RATIONALE

The Bachelor of Social Science is a degree designed specifically to provide the skills and graduate attributes required of an administrator or manager in the government or not-for-profit sector. As well as general management and administrative skills, there is a growing need for people skilled in community consultation, needs assessment, policy analysis and development, program development and evaluation. This requires understanding of society, consultative skills and critical appraisal. Other courses in the student's program of study engage knowledge and competencies from within a chosen discipline, and involve the student in learning experiences with members of this discipline. This introductory course offers students of the Social Sciences an overview of a range of social science theories and approaches to solving social problems. These approaches derive from sociology, anthropology, political science, social and community psychology, legal studies, indigenous studies and theories of multiculturalism. The course is an invaluable introduction to other courses studied in the core of the Bachelor of Social Sciences, and to the student's major study. It will assist students in selecting a major appropriate to their needs and interests.

SYNOPSIS

Students will be given the outline of a complex social problem and will then be introduced to a range of social science theories and problem-solving approaches. These problem-solving approaches will derive from disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, law, communications and indigenous studies. They will be theoretical rather than methodological approaches, as the latter will be covered in other courses in the Social Science core. Students will apply these theoretical approaches each week to the selected social problem. The major assignment involves an evaluation of the various theoretical approaches.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the theories and practice of Social Science
demonstrate an understanding and critical appreciation of the theoretical approaches of a range of social science disciplines;
demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the elements involved in planning and implementing a process for problem solving in a multidisciplinary social science context;
apply a range of disciplinary approaches to addressing selected social problems;
evaluate methodological issues and complexities involved in applying social science theories in a multidisciplinary context

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Introduction to Social Science	8.00
2.	Key Social Science Theories	10.00
3.	Case Study and Social Science approaches to practical problems	5.00
4.	Communication & Media	8.00
5.	Indigenous & Multicultural	8.00
6.	Political & Economic	8.00
7.	Psychology	8.00
8.	Law	8.00
9.	Anthropology	8.00
10.	International Relations	8.00
11.	Environment	8.00
12.	History	8.00
13.	Evaluating and reporting on practical problems	5.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

There are no text books for this course. Students will be provided with selected readings for each module.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Anderson, Lisa 2003, Pursuing truth, exercising power: social science and public policy in the twenty-first century, Columbia University Press, Chichester.

Delanty, Gerard 1997, Social science: beyond constructivism and realism, Open University Press, Buckingham.

Giddens, Anthony 2006, Sociology, 5th edn, Polity Press, Cambridge.

Homes, David 2005, Communication theory: media, technology and society, Sage, London.

Kamark, Andrew M 2002, Economics as a social science: an approach to non-autistic theory, Michigan State University, Ann Arbor.

Knight, David B & Joseph, Alun E (eds) 1999, Restructuring societies: insights from the social sciences, Carleton University Press, Ottawa.

Pratt, Vernon 2003, The philosophy of the social sciences (Available: E-book @ http://ezproxy.usq.edu.au/login?url=http://www.netLibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=96670).
(An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web; click for information. Taylor and Francis, New York.)

Redman, Peter 2001, Good essay writing: a social sciences guide, Open University, Milton Keynes.

Rule, James B 1997, Theory and progress in social science, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge & New York.

Woodward, Kath 2003, Social sciences: the big issues, Routledge, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Lectures	26.00
Private Study	126.00
Tutorials	13.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
ASSIGNMENT 1 - SHORT ESSAY	20.00	20.00	13 Aug 2007	(see note 1)
ASSIGNMENT 2	20.00	20.00	09 Nov 2007	(see note 2)
ASSIGNMENT 3 - MAJOR REPORT	60.00	60.00	12 Nov 2007	(see note 3)

NOTES

1.: This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1 and 2.
2.: Assignment 2 - Class Discussion and Contribution and Journal. Students are expected to contribute to class discussion each week. This contribution will be marked on a weekly basis and the total calculated at the end of the semester. Additionally, students will keep a record of key elements of the discussion in a journal which should be handed in at the end of the semester for grading. This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1 and 5.
3.: Each student will write a report evaluating a selection of theoretic approaches to solving the selected problem. The mark on this report will contirbute to 60% of the student's final grade. This assessment is aligned with Objectives 1, 3, 4 and 5.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
It is the student's responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. For this course, normal class attendance consists of
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval, then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each of the first FIVE working days late, after which a zero mark will be given.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks / grades obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
There is no exam for this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

(a) The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must lodge the assignment at the USQ. (b) All Faculty of Arts assignments must be lodged in the submission box at the Wide Bay Campus no later than 9.00 am on the due date. (c) In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the examiner's convenience. (d). Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be despatched to USQ within 24 hours if requested by the Examiner. (e) In accordance with University's Assignment Extension Policy (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances such as documented ill-health. (f) Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in the course but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives of the course within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the temporary grade: IM (Incomplete-Makeup). An IM grade will only be awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student will be able to achieve the remaining objectives of the course after a period of non-directed personal study. (g) Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or sit for an examination at the scheduled time, may apply to defer an assessment in the course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded: IDS (Incomplete - Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete - Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.