CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES
SOC2CSI
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject we aim to develop an understanding of some of the important global and local issues of our time using a sociological lens. We will draw on the work of both classical and contemporary social theorists to analyse the concerns of our society while, at the same time, assessing whether their theoretical concepts have stood the test of time. Some of the issues addressed will be climate change and its associated issues of food security and people displacement, capitalism and the global economy, political unrest and refugees and terrorism. We also explore our age as one of rapid technological and related social change, the far-reaching and diverse impact of the internet, for example, affecting everything from the economy and media production to individual social relations.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Mary Jo Fortuna
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: SOC3CSI
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: This subject is also available to Bendigo students but is held at the Shepparton Campus.
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Climate Wars, | Prescribed | Dyer, Gwynne | SCRIBE PUBLICATIONS, 2008 |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop students' awareness of the wide range of sources of information and interpretation.
- Activities:
- Students will be regularly asked to reflect on the sources from which they learn about contemporary social issues, including different forms of media, popular culture and other sources.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
02. Develop students' capacity to critically evaluate information and interpretation.
- Activities:
- Students will be required in discussion and in assessment to critically evaluate information and interpretation.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
03. Increase students' knowledge of contemporary social issues.
- Activities:
- Lectures and in class discussions will introduce a number of global and local social issues of current importance.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Writing(Writing)
- Speaking(Speaking)
04. Increase students' knowledge of important social theorists and the theories and concepts that assist analysis of contemporary social issues.
- Activities:
- Readings and lectures will require students to become knowledgeable about important social theories and apply the learning to contempory social issues that are being discussed.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
05. Increase students' knowledge of the historical, cultural and social context from which events and issues emerge.
- Activities:
- Lectures and in class discussions will explore the histoircal, cultural and social context of various contemporary social issues. Students will explore particular issues in more depth through assessment.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Writing(Writing)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
06. These specific aims serve the larger end of equipping students with the capacities to be thoughtful citizens and participants in public debates about the important issues of their times.
- Activities:
- Students will be required to reflect on their own role as citizens and participants in public debates through in class discussion, group work, presentations and other assessment.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
- Speaking(Speaking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Teamwork(Teamwork)
Shepparton, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Mary Jo Fortuna
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| final class test (equivalent to 600 words) | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| research essay (equivalent to 1600 words) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| seminar presentation (equivalent to 1000 words) | 25 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 | |
| theory exercise (equivalent to 800 words) | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |