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  2. Introduction to Australian Society [SWK1107]

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Australian Society

  • Unit Code

    SWK1107

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Students are introduced to an understanding of Australian society through the study of sociology. The unit offers an introduction to frameworks of analysis for studying society. The unit focusses around the theme of society as a socio-cultural construct. Students will be introduced to major sociological theoretical frameworks, which have been utilised to explain and understand the nature of society. Students will develop skills of applying tools of sociological analysis to their practice.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply sociological perspectives to select aspects of Australian society.
  2. Demonstrate familiarity with a range of theoretical perspectives used to explain certain aspects of Australian society.
  3. Understand and articulate the relationship between society, and the individual.
  4. Understand and demonstrate an ability to think critically and sociologically.
  5. Understand and explain the history and development of sociological theory and research.

Unit Content

  1. A range of theoretical perspectives used in analysing Australian society (such as, Marxism, feminism, interactionism, functionalism and post modernism) including how differences in these perspectives produce different explanations of Australian society.
  2. Aspects of Australian society such as health and illness, work, families, media, race and ethnicity and gender.
  3. Overview of key sociological concepts and terms.
  4. The role of ideology in shaping beliefs and values.
  5. The role of sociology (theory and research) in providing diverse explanations of individuals, groups and societies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On campus lectures and tutorials. Off campus via Blackboard with notes, readings, weblinks and activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseJournal search20%
EssayArgumentative essay40%
ExaminationExamination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseJournal search20%
EssayArgumentative essay40%
ExaminationExamination40%

Text References

  • ^ Beilharz, P. & Hogan, T. (Eds.). (2012). Sociology: Antipodean approaches (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Australia.
  • ^ Hodgson, D. (2012). Pressing questions: Explorations in sociology. (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Australia.
  • Jary, D. & Jary, J. (eds) (2000). Collins internet-linked dictionary of sociology. (3rd ed.). HarperCollins Publishers.
  • Holmes, D., Hughes, K. & Julian, R. (2007). Australian sociology: A changing society. (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
  • Giddens, A. (2006). Sociology. (5th ed.). Cambridge: Polity.
  • Bessant, J. & Watts, R. (2007). Sociology Australia. (3rd ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Beilharz, P. & Hogan, T. (Eds.). (2002). Social self, global culture: An introduction to sociological ideas. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
  • Jureidini, R. & Poole, M. (eds.). (2003). Sociology: Australian connections. (3rd ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Van Krieken, R., Habibis, D., Smith, D., Hutchins, B., Haralambos, M. & Holborn, M. (2006). Sociology: Themes and perspectives. (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
  • Hodgson, D. (2009). Pressing questions: Explorations in sociology. (5th issue) Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.

Journal References

  • The New Internationalist
  • Youth Studies Australia
  • Regional Journal of Social Issues
  • Social Alternatives
  • Rural Society
  • Quadrant
  • Network News: for rural, remote & regional women
  • Journal of Sociology
  • Australian Journal of Rural Health
  • Australian Journal of Social Issues
  • Australian Quarterly
  • Australian Social Work
  • Community Quarterly
  • Family Matters, Feminist Review
  • Habitat Australia
  • Journal of Australian Political Economy
  • Journal of Social Issues

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SWK1107|1|1

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies (Bunbury)

School: Regional Professional Studies

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Introduction to Australian Society

  • Unit Code

    SWK1107

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

Students are introduced to an understanding of Australian society through the study of sociology. The unit offers an introduction to frameworks of analysis for studying society. The unit focusses around the theme of society as a socio-cultural construct. Students will be introduced to major sociological theoretical frameworks, which have been utilised to explain and understand the nature of society. Students will develop skills of applying tools of sociological analysis to their practice.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply sociological perspectives to select aspects of Australian society.
  2. Demonstrate familiarity with a range of theoretical perspectives used to explain certain aspects of Australian society.
  3. Understand and articulate the relationship between society, and the individual.
  4. Understand and demonstrate an ability to think critically and sociologically.
  5. Understand and explain the history and development of sociological theory and research.

Unit Content

  1. A range of theoretical perspectives used in analysing Australian society (such as, Marxism, feminism, interactionism, functionalism and post modernism) including how differences in these perspectives produce different explanations of Australian society.
  2. Aspects of Australian society such as health and illness, work, families, media, race and ethnicity and gender.
  3. Overview of key sociological concepts and terms.
  4. The role of ideology in shaping beliefs and values.
  5. The role of sociology (theory and research) in providing diverse explanations of individuals, groups and societies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On campus lectures and tutorials. Off campus via Blackboard with notes, readings, weblinks and activities.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseJournal search20%
EssayArgumentative essay40%
ExaminationExamination40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ExerciseJournal search20%
EssayArgumentative essay40%
ExaminationExamination40%

Text References

  • ^ Beilharz, P. & Hogan, T. (Eds.). (2012). Sociology: Antipodean approaches (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Australia: Pearson Australia.
  • Jureidini, R. & Poole, M. (eds.). (2003). Sociology: Australian connections. (3rd ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Jary, D. & Jary, J. (eds) (2000). Collins internet-linked dictionary of sociology. (3rd ed.). HarperCollins Publishers.
  • Holmes, D., Hughes, K. & Julian, R. (2007). Australian sociology: A changing society. (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
  • Hodgson, D. (2012). Pressing questions: Explorations in sociology. (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Australia.
  • Giddens, A. (2006). Sociology. (5th ed.). Cambridge: Polity.
  • Bessant, J. & Watts, R. (2007). Sociology Australia. (3rd ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
  • Beilharz, P. & Hogan, T. (Eds.). (2002). Social self, global culture: An introduction to sociological ideas. (2nd ed.). South Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
  • Van Krieken, R., Habibis, D., Smith, D., Hutchins, B., Haralambos, M. & Holborn, M. (2006). Sociology: Themes and perspectives. (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.
  • Hodgson, D. (2009). Pressing questions: Explorations in sociology. (5th issue) Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Education Australia.

Journal References

  • The New Internationalist
  • Youth Studies Australia
  • Regional Journal of Social Issues
  • Social Alternatives
  • Rural Society
  • Quadrant
  • Network News: for rural, remote & regional women
  • Journal of Sociology
  • Australian Journal of Rural Health
  • Australian Journal of Social Issues
  • Australian Quarterly
  • Australian Social Work
  • Community Quarterly
  • Family Matters, Feminist Review
  • Habitat Australia
  • Journal of Australian Political Economy
  • Journal of Social Issues

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SWK1107|1|2