Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to central concepts and methods used by sociologists to study society. Like HGA101, this unit develops an understanding of sociology by examining the major social institutions and processes, and sociological modes of inquiry. The unit explores central sociological concepts and ideas with a focus on: inequality, difference, social and cultural institutions, crime and deviance. The unit provides students with (1) an understanding of sociological concepts, models and methods; and (2) an ability to apply these to processes in modern societies with special reference to Australia. This is a core unit in the Sociology major and introduces sociology. The focus of this unit is to develop your higher-level thinking by helping you to acquire the tools you need to develop a sociological imagination (including how reality is socially constructed) and the ability to develop a theoretical lens for seeing the world around you – skills which lie at the heart of the Sociology major. This unit consolidates and develops your understanding of the central concepts and methods used by sociologists to study society. This unit also provides you with the initial skills and knowledges required for higher level studies in Sociology.

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	Explain sociological perspectives on the structure and function of contemporary societies.
2	Analyse social inequalities using a range of sociological approaches.
3	Apply sociological concepts and theory to contemporary social issues and challenges.
4	Communicate sociological ideas clearly in written and/or verbal form.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	HGE102 AND HGA135 AND HGA100 AND HGA139

Alterations as a result of student feedback

In this unit we have increased the lenght of time allowed to complete Assesment Task 1 (the quiz) and shortened the word lenght of Asssment Task 2 (the essay).

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, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Research essay	Week 10	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Tutorial participation	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Final exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online quiz

Task Description:

Online quiz

Task Length:

You are required to answer 20 questions in 30 minutes.

Due Date:

Week 5 (19/Aug/2024)

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding by defining key sociological concepts or terms.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Link sociological concepts or terms to your understanding of contemporary society.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Research essay

Task Description:

Research essay

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 10 (04/Oct/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Sociological understanding and analysis: Explains the key sociological ideas, concepts and theories; Use of sociological and academic language; Illustrating key concepts or points with an appropriate sociological example/s	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Research: Draws on a range appropriate materials; Use of research materials	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Presentation: Adherence to conventions around the technical construction of an academic research essay, spelling, punctuation, grammar and referencing.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Tutorial participation

Task Description:

n/a

Participation is assessed throughout the semester.

Task Length:

Tutorial participation

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evidence of understanding of relevant sociological concepts and ideas	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Demonstrates capacity to apply relevant sociological concepts and ideas	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Final exam

Task Description:

Final exam

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Exam Period (04/Nov/2024)

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Description and explanation of relevant sociological ideas, concepts and theories	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Application of relevant sociological ideas, concepts and theories through the explicit use of clear and appropriate example/s	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Demonstrates an understanding of the relevance of sociology for explaining social change and contemporary Australian society	LO1, LO2, LO3
4	Adherence to conventions around the technical construction of an academic research essay, spelling, punctuation, grammar and referencing.	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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.