Social Science Research Seminar (POLS40013)
HonoursPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | February |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is designed to develop research skills for students planning and writing research theses in the School of Social and Political Sciences. The subject explores contemporary research strategies, differing methodological approaches to social research, the relationship of theory and research, and practical issues concerned with designing thesis topics and their realization through the research process, including the management of ethics principles and procedures. The subject gives special attention to the design of problem-driven research. It will assist students to develop skills in thesis preparation and development as well as in the framing of research projects, more generally. The subject is taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subjects students should:
- Have an understanding of the theoretical, methodological, resource and ethical considerations of relevance in designing a social science research project;
- Have an appreciation of the role of theory in the framing of social research;
- Have a sense of the need to identify appropriate research strategies when undertaking research;
- Have an awareness of the analytical and organizational skills required in social science research;
- Have completed a fully developed research proposal for their thesis.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should:
- be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
- be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;
- be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students are required to have completed or concurrently enrolled in one of below subjects:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASIA90012 | International Relations Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRIM40008 | Criminology Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
| CRIM90028 | Criminology Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIST90034 | International Relations Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| POLS40021 | Politics & International Thesis Part 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
| POLS90054 | International Relations Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
| PPMN90049 | Public /Social Policy Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
| SOCI40006 | Sociology Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
| SOLS40002 | Socio-Legal Studies Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
25 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies, Criminology, Sociology, Socio-Legal Studies at Undergraduate level
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A research proposal study
| Due in April | 100% |
| Hurdle requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in class is required. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- February
Coordinator Lauren Rosewarne Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours A 4-day intensive course of lectures and workshops, scheduled one week prior to the commencement of Semester 1. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 February 2020 to 27 February 2020 Last self-enrol date 24 February 2020 Census date 13 March 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 April 2020 Assessment period ends 1 May 2020 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
Students completing an Honours, Graduate Diploma (Advnced) or Masters by Coursework minor thesis in the following areas of study must complete this subject:
Political Science
Politics and International Studies/Politics
Criminology
Sociology
Socio-Legal Studies
International Relations
Public Policy and Management
Social Policy
Students who commence the thesis in semester 2 will be required to complete POLS40013 in the February of the following year.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
This is a compulsory subject for students enrolled in the following Honours programs: Politics and International Studies, Criminology, Sociology, and the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) in the diciplines of Politics and International Studies, Criminology, Sociology.
This is also a compulsory co-requisite subject for students who are enrolled in the minor thesis component of the Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy and Management, Master of Criminology, Master of Social Policy.
This subject will run intensively in February, the week before Semester 1 commences.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Criminology Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Anthropology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Criminology Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Criminology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Social Theory Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Sociology Specialisation (formal) Socio-Legal Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Socio-Legal Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Anthropology Specialisation (formal) Criminology Specialisation (formal) Sociology - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022