CONCEPTUALISING THE SOCIAL SCIENCES: KEY CONCEPTS AND DEBATES
SSC4CSS
2019
Credit points: 30
Subject outline
This subject explores key conceptual and theoretical approaches in the social sciences from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. It is designed as an advanced, interdisciplinary key concepts subject that allows Honours students to engage with important ideas, core debates and influential texts, and consider their application within and across disciplines. The subject provides opportunities for students to develop critical, in-depth and interdisciplinary understandings of how key concepts and debates shape knowledge production in the social sciences.
School: School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points: 30
Subject Co-ordinator: Katie Wright
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 4 - UG/Hons/1st Yr PG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Enrolment in Bachelor of Arts Honours or Bachelor of Legal Studies Honours or International Relations Honours or Politics Honours or with coordinator's approval.
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: Must be enrolled in an Honours level course.
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Analyse and evaluate key concepts and debates in the social sciences
- Activities:
- Research essay, annotated bibliography, oral presentation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Produce written work to a publishable or near publishable academic standard
- Activities:
- Research essay, annotated bibliography
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Demonstrate high level analytical and problem solving skills and the capacity to work independently
- Activities:
- Research essay, annotated bibliography
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Contribute thoughtfully to group discussions and work effectively in a team
- Activities:
- Seminars, small group work, oral presentation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Display highly developed oral communication skills
- Activities:
- Seminars, small group work, oral presentation
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Katie Wright
Class requirements
SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 word annotated bibliography | Students will receive written feedback on their abstracts and annotated bibliography within two weeks of submission. This will will help them with their final research essay, due after the semester ends. Students will also receive one-on-one feedback from the Subject Coordinator throughout the semester in student consultations in person, in class, and/or via email. | 10 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Group oral presentation (2,000 word equivalent, 5 min per student) | Written feedback twill be provided to students. | 25 | 04, 05 |
| 5,000 word research essay | Extensive written feedback will be provided to students. | 65 | 01, 02, 03 |