Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

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.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

• Unit Title

  Introduction to Australian Society

• Unit Code

  SWK1107

• Year

  2020

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Colleen Mary CARLON

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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.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

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.

Core Reading(s)

• Arvanitakis, J. (2016). Sociologic : analysing everyday life and culture. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/911223163

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