Understanding The Life Course (SOCI40003)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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.
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces a life course approach to social issues. Life course research is a relatively new and innovative approach in the social sciences which has developed in recent decades. It brings back in a time dimension into social research and systematically links social changes on the macro level to individual experiences on the micro level. The aim of the subject is to give students a good understanding of how our life and our identities are shaped by social institutions and our experiences. The subject will introduce key concepts such as 'cumulative (dis)advantage', 'linked lives' and 'biographical action'. It will also demonstrate how a life course perspective can be used to advance our understanding of social issues.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Have a good understanding of key concepts of biographical and life course research;
- A good knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of life course and biographical approaches in sociology;
- Take on a biographical/life course perspective to analyse social issues;
- Understand social processes in a life course perspective;
- Critically consider how the social is constituted and reproduced during the course of one’s life;
- Use the life course/biographical approach to critique social research and social policy.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject students should;
- devleop research skills, through the competent use of library and other information sources, and the definition of areas of inquiry and methods of research;
- have an understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research;
- developm critical thinking and analysis skills, through recommended reading, essay writing, and seminar discussion, and by determining the strength of an argument;
- develop skills in written and oral communication, time management and planning, and group work, through completion of course requirements;
- have the capacity to think in theoretical terms, through class requirements and engagement with theories and methods of the social sciences;
- have the capacity to think creatively, through course work and course discussion, and by critical analysis of competing arguments.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A preliminary essay
| Mid semester | 30% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 70% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject. 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
- Semester 2
Coordinator Laura Dunstan Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 24 contact hours: A 2-hour seminar per week for 12 weeks. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
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 semester.
Recommended texts and other resources
For a first introduction: Heinz, W.R., Huinink, J., Swader, C.S., Weymann, A. 2009: General Introduction. In: W.R. Heinz, J. Huinink, A. Weymann (eds.): The Life Course Reader. Individuals and Societies Across Time (pp.15-30). Frankfurt/M., New York: Campus.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Anthropology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Specialisation (formal) Sociology Informal specialisation PD-ARTS Anthropology - 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: 31 January 2024