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Contemporary Social Problems (SOCI90004)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
April
Overview
Availability | April - Online |
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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
This subject is compulsory in the Master of Social Policy and Head of Program approval is required for enrolment by Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.
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
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 - Online
Principal coordinator Leah Ruppanner Mode of delivery Online 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 19 April 2021 to 28 May 2021 Last self-enrol date 27 April 2021 Census date 7 May 2021 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 June 2021 Assessment period ends 25 June 2021 April contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Reading material will be made available online via the subject's LMS site.
- Subject notes
SOCI90004 Contemporary Social Problems is a compulsory subject in the Master of Social Policy.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Major Governance, Policy and Markets Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Sociology Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation - Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022