Contemporary Social Problems (SOCI90004)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 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 | April |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject focues on social problems in a sociological perspective. The aim of the subject is to give students a good understanding of the social dimension of social problems as well as insights into the social construction and negotiation of social problems. A number of different approaches and ways to see social problems will be introduced to sharpen the awareness of the influence of specific worldviews of our selection, understanding and responses to social problems. On this basis a number of recent social problems and a shift in understanding and dealing with social problems will be discussed.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Have a knowledge of contemporary social problem;
- Have an ability to use theoretical models to consider social processes at work in contemporary social problems;
- Have an ability to critically consider the ways social policy constructs our understanding of contemporary social problems.
Generic skills
- research skills, through the competent use of library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research.
- an understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research.
- critical thinking and analysis skills, through recommended reading, essay writing, and seminar discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument.
- skills in written and oral communication, time management and planning, and group work, through completion of course requirements.
- the capacity to think in theoretical terms, through class requirements and engagement with theories and methods of the social sciences.
- the capacity to think creatively, through course work and course discussion, and by critical analysis of competing arguments.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Sociology 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 literature review
| During the teaching period | 20% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 80% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- April
Principal coordinator Leah Ruppanner Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: 2 x 2 hour of seminars per week in Weeks 7 - 12 of Semester 1. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 20 April 2020 to 29 May 2020 Last self-enrol date 28 April 2020 Census date 8 May 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 26 June 2020 April contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Major Governance, Policy and Markets Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Sociology Major Tailored Specialisation 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
Last updated: 3 November 2022