Unit Outline

Sociology is essential for understanding the turbulence, change, diversity and mobility of the modern world. Sociology offers a precise way to understand, track and assess how ever-changing aspirations, technologies and economies impact on our social relations and cultures. In Sociology A we introduce students to the key elements of sociology including its central ideas, concepts and achievements. In doing so we provide you with a new perspective on how your experiences and world are shaped. It will sharpen your focus and skills through social theory, critical thinking and a grasp of relevant data. We do this by addressing five questions: What is sociology? When, why and how did sociology emerge as a new perspective on change? How can we explain human sameness, as well as social difference and conflict? How do societies change - and where are they headed? How do people experience key components of society in their everyday lives?

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Describe the sociological perspective and key sociological theories, research methods and empirical findings
2.	Define key sociological concepts
3.	Apply the sociological perspective, key sociological concepts, theories and empirical data to explain elements of contemporary Australian society
4.	Communicate your ideas in a range of written forms.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HGE101 AND HGA100 AND HGA139 AND HGA135

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online quiz	Week 5	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Essay	Week 10	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Take home exam	Exam Period	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Participation	Refer to Assessment Description	15 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quiz

Task Description:

Answer 15 multiple choice questions relating to material from Weeks 1 to 4. This is an open book quiz, meaning you can refer to any material. This task is designed to help you assess your own progress in the unit, and your understanding of key concepts.

This is an open book test. This means you can refer to any material during the test. You have a time limit of 15 minutes to complete the test.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 5 (25/Mar/2024)

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Provide definitions to key sociological concepts	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Identify key sociological perspectives and theories	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Essay

Task Description:

This task is an academic research essay on the ‘sociological imagination’. The ‘sociological imagination’ is about linking ‘personal troubles’ with ‘public issues’. Your task is to apply a sociological imagination to a contemporary issue/example.

You must link your contemporary issues to one of the lecture topics covered. Please check your chosen issue is appropriate with your lecturer/tutor before beginning your essay.

For example, you could write an essay that applies the sociological imagination to the topic of loneliness (relating to Week 4 lecture ‘Globalisation, loneliness and risk’) or social media and identity (relating to Week 7 lecture ‘Digital Sociology).

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 10 (10/May/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answering the question • Relevance – answer addresses the set task with an appropriate example • Structure – use of an argument and progression of ideas	LO3, LO4
2	Evidence of sociological approach and understanding applied to example • Use of data – description and application of sociological data • Use of concepts – definition of sociological concepts • Sources – use of sociological sources	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Written communication Written expression – clarity and conformity to academic conventions	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Take home exam

Task Description:

The exam will be take home and submitted through MyLO. Further information on the exam and format will be provided during the semester.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Exam Period (10/Jun/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answering the question • Relevance – answer addresses the set task with an appropriate example • Structure – use of an argument and progression of ideas	LO3, LO4
2	Evidence of sociological approach and understanding applied to example • Use of data – description and application of sociological data • Use of concepts – definition of sociological concepts • Sources – use of sociological sources	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Written communication • Written expression – clarity and conformity to academic conventions	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Participation

Task Description:

Part A: Lead a discussion (in a tutorial class or online discussion) using a pop-culture prompt. Part B: Contribute to small group learning activities.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Application and communication of sociological perspectives, sociological concepts, theories and sociological data, to explain elements of contemporary Australian society	LO1, LO2, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

You will need the following text [available from Booktopia]:

Germov, J., & Poole, M. (2023) Public Sociology: An introduction to Australian society (5th Ed). Sydney: Allen & Unwin.