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Social Science Research Seminar (POLS40013)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Online
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Overview
Availability | February - Online |
---|---|
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: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Students are required to have completed or be concurrently enrolled in one of below subjects:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ASIA90012 | International Relations Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
HIST90034 | International Relations Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
POLS40021 | Politics & International Thesis Part 1 | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
25 |
POLS90054 | International Relations Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
PPMN90049 | Public /Social Policy Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
18.75 |
SOCI40006 | Sociology Thesis Part 1 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
25 |
SOLS40002 | Socio-Legal Studies Thesis Part 1 | No longer available |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Politics and International Studies, 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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
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: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- February - Online
Coordinator Lauren Rosewarne Mode of delivery Online 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 21 February 2022 to 24 February 2022 Last self-enrol date 21 February 2022 Census date 11 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 1 April 2022 Assessment period ends 29 April 2022 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: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of the subject.
- Subject notes
This is a compulsory subject for students enrolled in the following Honours programs: Politics and International Studies, Sociology, and the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) in the diciplines of Politics and International Studies, 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 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) Anthropology Specialisation (formal) Criminology Specialisation (formal) Criminology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Sociology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Socio-Legal Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Public Policy and Management Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Anthropology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Criminology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Politics and International Studies Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Public Policy and Management Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Social Theory - 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.
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
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024