Course Outline. Code: SCS110 Title: Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change

Transcription

1 Course Outline Code: SCS110 Title: Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change Faculty of Arts, Business and Law School of Social Sciences Teaching Session: Semester 1 Year: 2018 Course Coordinator: Dr Phillip Ablett Room: D1.33 Phone: (07) pablett@usc.edu.au 1. What is this course about? 1.1 Course description Australia is a changing society in a rapidly changing world. The nature and pace of change is both welcomed and resisted by different social groups. Some experience change as enabling and full of opportunities while others experience it as unsettling or even destructive and oppressive. The benefits and disadvantages of social change are not evenly distributed because society is characterised by significant social differences and inequalities of class, gender, ethnicity and power. Changes and inequality affect all the institutions in which we live - education, health-care, the family, work, religion and government. This course introduces you to a sociological understanding of social change and inequality. It questions the specific social, cultural and historical conditions that shape social institutions and values to identify how things might be otherwise and how we might contribute to changing things for the better. 1.2 Course content Introduction: Society, Culture and Sociology The Sociological Imagination Modernity and Globalisation Social Theory: Classical and Contemporary Class Inequality Gender Inequality Ethnic and Indigenous Inequality Understanding Power and the State Understanding Work, Religion, Health, Education and Social Movements Understanding Social Change 2. Unit value 12 units Course Outline 2018

2 Page 2 3. How does this course contribute to my learning? Specific Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course you should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of basic sociological concepts for developing a critical understanding of society. Demonstrate a sociological understanding of the nature of social relationships and institutions; patterns of social diversity and inequality; and processes that underpin social change and stability. Demonstrate an ability to communicate sociological ideas, principles and knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriate formats. Demonstrate an ability to apply sociological theories, concepts and evidence to sociological questions. Demonstrate an ability to critically review, analyse, summarise and synthesise sociological scholarship including research. Assessment Tasks You will be assessed on the learning outcome in task/s: 1 and 4 Knowledgeable. Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming: 2, 3 and 4 Creative and critical thinkers. Empowered. 2 and 3 Engaged. Empowered. 2, 3 and 4 Creative and critical thinkers. Empowered. 2 and 3 Creative and critical thinkers. Empowered. 4. Am I eligible to enrol in this course? Refer to the Coursework Programs and Awards - Academic Policy for definitions of pre-requisites, corequisites and anti-requisites 4.1 Enrolment restrictions Nil 4.2 Pre-requisites Nil 4.3 Co-requisites Nil 4.4 Anti-requisites Nil 4.5 Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills N/A

3 Page 3 5. How am I going to be assessed? 5.1 Grading scale Standard High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL) 5.2 Assessment tasks Task Assessment Tasks No. Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it? Blackboard 1 Online test on Basic Sociological Terms Individual 10% One week Week 3, Friday, 5pm 2 Presentation of Individual 20% 5 minutes Weeks 6-12 In class detailed Major Essay Plan (with PowerPoint) 3 Major essay Individual 40% 2000 words Week 13, SafeAssign Monday, 5pm 4 Examination Individual 30% 2 hours Central In exam examination venue period 100% Assessment Task 1: Online test on Basic Sociological Terms Goal: The goal of this assessment is to test your knowledge and comprehension of some basic concepts and terms used in sociology. Product: Completion of on-line multiple-choice test on Blackboard Format: You will be required to undertake a multiple-choice test that addresses material from the SCS110 readings and lectures between weeks 1 and 3. To do this you shall need to log onto Blackboard and complete the set of questions that appear under Assessment Task 1 in multiple choice form. The test will be available on Blackboard and is automatically submitted for an assessment grade through this system. Although the test does contribute some marks towards your final grade its primary purpose is formative. This means it is intended to serve as a preparatory guide to the sociological learning that we expect you to achieve in SCS110. Formative assessment is used to promote learning. You will be given the correct answers to any questions you may get wrong. Criteria Correct identification of the definition and use of basic sociological terms Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Information literacy Assessment Task 2: Presentation of detailed Major Essay Plan (with PowerPoint) Goal: This exercise is the first step toward, and is designed to assist you in the planning of, the major essay that you will submit later in the semester (Assessment Task 3) on a substantive area of sociological analysis concerning social inequality and social change in Australia; such as poverty, class, gender, racism, education, health-care, work, religion, social movements or government. It is also an opportunity for you to receive feedback from your tutor and tutorial group. In the presentation of your essay plan, your task will be to share with the other member of your class your development of a sociological

4 Page 4 understanding of the topic and in particular the way you intend to answer your chosen essay question, ie: your main argument and supporting evidence. Product: A PowerPoint Presentation of your Major Essay Plan (with hard copy print out). Please see the Presentation Guide under the Assessment navigation area on Blackboard for more details on formatting expectations. Format: This is an individual presentation of your essay plan that allows you to demonstrate your understanding of a substantive area of sociological analysis as outlined above. The essay questions on these topics will be placed on Blackboard in Week 1. You need to identify a topic-question of importance to you that you are going to focus on in your essay. The presentation of your essay plan will be scheduled for an allocated time of 5 minutes inclass between week s You must use PowerPoint or another comparable form of media to enhance the effectiveness of your presentation. Criteria Identification and initial understanding of a substantive area of sociological analysis concerning social inequality and/or social change (this understanding will be judged with consideration given to stage of course). Clear claim ( thesis ) addressing the topic question/ problem, indicating logical direction of argument. Effectively communicated and organized presentation: with introduction, body and conclusion (with scholarly Reference List, including reference to sociological research). Argument indicates originality and independence of thought. Demonstrated awareness of various sources of knowledge that will be needed to support an argument of this kind (theoretical/empirical, quantitative/qualitative, comparative, historical, documentary, survey or interview based). Identification and application of relevant sociological theor(y/ies) to explain the problem or issue. A critical understanding of the contested nature of the social issue. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Organisation Problem-Solving Assessment Task 3: Major essay Goal: The purpose of this essay is for you to demonstrate a sociological understanding of one of the major substantive areas involving social inequality and change in Australian society (such as poverty, class, gender, racism, education, health-care, work, religion, social movements or government) covered in lectures, tutorials, and tutorial readings, during weeks It builds directly upon the research and planning that you have demonstrated in Assessment Task 3. The list of essay topics will be made available in Week 1 on Blackboard at: Product: A sociological essay Format: This is an individual assignment of 2000 words, plus references. Criteria Your essay will be assessed against the following criteria: Logical argument, supported by evidence that indicates originality and independence of thought. Effective and organised essay structure. A critical understanding of the contested nature of a major substantive social issue involving social inequality and/or change in Australian society.

5 Page 5 Identification and evaluation of relevant sociological theor(y/ies) to explain the social issue or problem. Identification, critical review and synthesis of a variety of relevant sources of knowledge, including sociological sources. Appropriate use of Harvard referencing system. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Problem solving Communication Assessment Task 4: Examination Goal: The purpose of the exam is to (a) test your sociological knowledge and (b) demonstrate your critical understanding of three selected areas of sociological analysis. Specifically, the multiple-choice section of the exam will test your knowledge of basic sociological concepts and major research findings in the areas covered by the course, concerning Australian society. The short-essay section allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the sociological issues concerning inequality and change raised in this course. Product: Completion of examination papers Format: The SCS110 examination will be taken during the end of semester examination period over a period of two hours and ten minutes. The exam date will be made available towards the end of semester. The format will consist of multiple choice questions worth 50% and three short discussion questions, also worth 50% of the exam score. The multiple-choice section of the exam will test students knowledge of basic sociological concepts and major research findings in the areas covered by the course, concerning Australian society. The purpose of the short-essay section is to allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the sociological issues concerning inequality and change raised in this course. It will be based on the work covered during the entire semester. Criteria Identification of sociological terms and findings in multiple-choice section; and demonstrated ability to apply sociological theories, concepts and evidence to sociological questions, concerning social inequality and change in the short answer section. Generic skill assessed Skill assessment level Communication Information Literacy 5.3 Additional assessment requirements Plagiarism In order to minimise incidents of plagiarism and collusion, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Blackboard, are electronically checked through SafeAssign. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work that SafeAssign has access to. Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct 5.4 Submission penalties Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:

6 Page 6 5% (of the assessment task s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 10% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the third day 20% (of the assessment task s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome. 6. How is the course offered? 6.1 Directed study hours Lecture: 2 hours per week Tutorial: 1 hour per week 6.2 Teaching semester/session(s) offered Semester 1 and Semester 2 in Sippy Downs Semester 1 in Fraser Coast Semester 2 in Gympie 6.3 Course activities Teaching What key concepts/content will I learn? Week / Module What activities will I engage in to learn the concepts/content? Directed Study Independent Study Activities Activities 1 Introduction: Society, Culture and Sociology: The Reading is Examinable and you should Answer the Study Questions: 1. What is sociology? And, what do we mean by the terms society and culture? 2. Why is the study of society and social change in Australia so important? 3. How much does social context influence, limit or assist people in the decisions they make? Think of specific examples. 2 The Sociological Imagination: 1. What is meant by the sociological imagination? 2. What are the different dimensions of the sociological imagination identified by Giddens? 3. Outline how we might apply the sociological imagination (in its historical, cross-cultural and critical dimensions) to a current social problem. For example

7 Page 7 poverty, unemployment, domestic violence, suicide or environmental degradation? 3 Modernity and Globalisation: 1. What is meant by the term modernity and what are the main features said to characterise The Great Transformation giving rise to modernity? 2. What is meant by the term globalisation? What is the difference between cultural and economic globalisation? Can you give some examples of each and how they are changing our lives? 3. What is meant by McDonaldisation? Apart from fast food, think of another example of McDonaldisation and how the four dimensions identified by Ritzer can be applied to make sense of it? 4 Social Theory: Classical and Contemporary: Tutorial Exercise and Study Questions: 1. What is the purpose of social theory? 2. Why are there so many different theoretical perspectives in sociology? Is this advantageous or disadvantages for the study of society? 3. How would you explain the social distribution of income and wealth from each of the following perspectives - functionalist (consensus), Marxist (conflict), feminist and post-modern (poststructuralist) theory? (Attempt two of these perspectives for discussion if you do the 5 Good Friday Public Holiday, 30 th March essay). Class Inequality: 1. List what you regard as the most prominent forms of social inequality in the modern world? Is inequality inevitable in modern society or can it be eliminated? 2. Do you think of yourself or your family as belonging to a social class? What information would you use to work out what class someone belonged to (ie define it)? 3. Is there a class difference between the general population who shop regularly at a Nambour Supermarket and those shopping frequently at Hastings Street in Noosa? Is it a significant difference? Does it tell us

8 Page 8 something about the sort of society we live in? If so, what? 4. How much do you think that the following attributes contribute to inequality in Australia: family background? Ethnic background? Age? Type and level of school attended? Occupation? Unemployment? Inherited assets and wealth? Owning property and businesses? What other characteristics might you add to this list? Mid Semester Break 6 Gender Inequality: 1. How does gender act as another dimension of inequality? 2. What role does biology play in sociological explanations of sex and gender inequality? 3. What social changes and pressures are shaping current feminine and masculine roles in Australia? Are these leading to greater equality between the sexes? 4. Is gender equity in the home and workforce still an important social issue in Australia or are we past all that? (Be clear about your evidence in answering this question). 7 Ethnic and Indigenous Inequality: 1. Why have scientific theories of racial classification been discredited? 2. What do you understand by the statement that race is a social construct? 3. Is there a difference between racism and ethnocentrism? Were the Cronulla riots racist, ethnocentric, neither or both? How do these terms help us make sense of inequality amongst indigenous and immigrant communities in Australia? 4. What explanations are there for the differences in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians? 8 Anzac Day Public Holiday 25 th April Understanding Power and the State: 1. What is the relationship between the state and society?

9 Page 9 2. Which of the major theories on the state do you find most convincing in explaining its societal functions? 3. What are the most significant crises and challenges facing the modern Australian state? 4. What changes would be necessary in order to maximise popular participation and deepen democracy in Australia s political life? 9 Understanding Education: 1. Brainstorm some of the functions of education, compare your ideas with those detailed in Foster and Harman (1992: 11). 2. What evidence is there to support the view that schools serve the interests of the powerful? (Foster and Harman, 1992: 14). 3. Do you think that the emphasis on work skills is an appropriate basis for education in contemporary Australia? Why or why not? 10 Labour Day Public Holiday Monday 7 th May Understanding Work and Unemployment: 1. What are the causes and consequences of unemployment? 2. What is the relationship between technology and work? 3. Do we all benefit equally from technological change? Do some groups benefit more than others do? What do they stand to gain? 4. What are the arguments about the future of work? 11 Understanding Health and Health Care: 1. How can we understand health and wellbeing? Do these things mean the same thing in every culture? 2. What sociological perspectives for understanding health exist? How do they differ from the Bio-medical model? 3. How do class, race/ethnicity and gender impact on health outcomes in Australia today? 4. What is meant by Foucault s term the Medical Gaze? 12 Understanding Religion: 1. What did Marx mean by his statement that religion is the opiate of the people?

10 Page 10 How does his view differ from that of Durkheim s on the social function of religion? 2. What are the main changes in the religious makeup of Australian society between the first half of the twentieth century and today? What are the current major trends in religious affiliation in Australian society? 3. What is the evidence that there has been a loss of religious community in Australia? 4. What evidence is there that religion continues to play an important role in our community? 13 Understanding Social Movements and Activism for Social Change: 1. Give some examples of social change? What factors cause social change? 2. What theoretical perspectives inform our understanding of social change? 3. What are some of the major movements for social change today? What strategies do these movements employ? Please note that the course activities may be subject to variation. 7. What resources do I need to undertake this course? 7.1 Prescribed text(s) Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below: Author Year Title Publisher Ablett, Phillip 2017 Sociology: An Introduction SCS110 3e A Pearson Australia Custom Book, Frenchs Forest. 7.2 Required and recommended readings Lists of required and recommended readings may be found for this course on its Blackboard site. These materials/readings will assist you in preparing for tutorials and assignments, and will provide further information regarding particular aspects of your course. 7.3 Specific requirements N/A 7.4 Risk management There is minimal health and safety risk in this course. It is your responsibility to familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety policies and procedures applicable within campus areas. 8. How can I obtain help with my studies?

11 Page 11 In the first instance you should contact your tutor, then the Course Coordinator. Additional assistance is provided to all students through Peer Advisors and Academic Skills Advisors. You can drop in or book an appointment. To book: Tel: or studentcentral@usc.edu.au 9. Links to relevant University policies and procedures For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including: Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs Review of Assessment and Final Grades Supplementary Assessment Administration of Central Examinations Deferred Examinations Student Academic Misconduct Students with a Disability General enquiries In person: Sippy Downs - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C USC SouthBank - Student Central, Building B, Ground floor (level 1) USC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie USC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Building A Tel: studentcentral@usc.edu.au