Understanding The Life Course (SOCI40003)
HonoursPoints: 12.5Not available in 2025
About this subject
Overview
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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 should 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;
- Develop 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
- Develop 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: 4 March 2025
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A preliminary essay
| Mid semester | 30% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 70% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Attendance hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum requirement of 80% attendance at tutorials, seminars, or workshops. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
Not available in 2025
Time commitment details
Total of 170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
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:
- 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: 4 March 2025