2021 SY1001 Subject Outline SP2 External Mode PDF

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Summary

2021 SY1001 Subject Outline SP2 External Mode James Cook University...

Description

Subject Outline Subject Name

Australian Society: Introduction to Sociology

Subject Code

SY1001

Credit Points

3

Study Period

SP2

Study Mode

External

Campus

External Mode

Subject Coordinator/Division /College

Nick Osbaldiston, CASE, DTES

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters where our University is located and actively seek to contribute and support the JCU Reconciliation Statement, which exemplifies respect for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures, heritage, knowledge and the valuing of justice and equity for all Australians. © Copyright 2021 This publication is covered by copyright regulations. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process or placed in computer memory without written permission.

Pre-requisites n/a

Subject Outline preparation This Subject Outline has been prepared by Nick Osbaldiston for the College of Arts, Society and Education, Division of Tropical Environments and Societies. James Cook University. Updated 15/7/2021 Q1. This subject is offered across more than one campus and/or mode and/or study period within the one calendar year.

Yes ☒

No ☐

Q2. If yes (Q1), the design of all offerings of this subject ensure the same learning outcomes and assessment types and weightings.

Yes ☒

No ☐

Q3. If no (Q2), [Type here] has authorised any variations, in terms of equivalence.

Subject Outline peer reviewer Name

Associate Professor Theresa Petray

Position

Sociology

Date reviewed

15 July 2021

Teaching Staff contact details Teaching team Subject Coordinator and Lecturer

Staff member

Dr Nick Osbaldiston

Room

Phone

D3.135 (CNS)

42321175

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Email

[email protected]. au

Consultation times

Email for time

Contents 1

2

3

4

Subject at a glance ................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1

Student participation requirements ................................................................................................... 4

1.2

Key dates ........................................................................................................................................... 4

Subject details ........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1

Subject description ............................................................................................................................ 5

2.2

Subject learning outcomes and course learning outcomes ................................................................. 5

2.3

Learning and teaching in this subject.................................................................................................. 5

2.4

Student feedback on subject and teaching ......................................................................................... 6

2.5

Subject resources and special requirements....................................................................................... 6

Assessment details................................................................................................................................ 7 3.1

Requirements for successful completion of subject ............................................................................ 7

3.2

Feedback on student learning ............................................................................................................ 7

3.3

Assessment items .............................................................................................................................. 7

Submission and return of assessment............................................................................................. 8 4.1

5

Submission of assessment................................................................................................................ 11

4.2

Late submissions .............................................................................................................................. 11

4.3

Special Consideration (including deferrals and extensions)............................................................... 11

4.4

Declaration of Assessment ............................................................................................................... 11

4.5

Return of assessment and feedback ................................................................................................. 11

4.6

Review of assessment ...................................................................................................................... 12

Subject calendar ................................................................................................................................. 13

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1

Subject at a glance

1.1 Student participation requirements The JCU Learning, Teaching and Assessment Procedure (2.1.2d) indicates a typical student workload for a three (3) credit point subject requires a 130 hour work load of study related activities, including attendance, assessment and self-directed study over the duration of the subject with equivalency across all modes of delivery. Note that attendance at specified classes will be a mandatory requirement for satisfactory completion of some subjects (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Procedures, 3.1.8e); and that additional hours may be required per week for those students in need of English language, numeracy or other learning support. Key subject activities

Time

Online Recordings and Activities

Day and date Online in Learn JCU Folders

For information regarding class registration, visit the Class Registration Schedule.

1.2 Key dates Key dates

Date

Census date

See 2021 Study Period and Census Dates

Last date to withdraw without academic penalty

See 2021 Study Period and Census Dates

Assessment task 1: Online test 10%

Week Five on Learn JCU

Assessment task 2: Online test 10%

Week Eight on Learn JCU

Assessment task 3: Essay 40%

Due 15th of October, 2021, 5pm

Assessment task 4: Final Test

TBA

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Room/Location

2

Subject details

2.1 Subject description This subject introduces ways of sociologically exploring the social world, with a particular focus on the analysis of Australian society in an international context. It involves examining social patterns and structures; examining how these shape the world in which we live; and recognising and exploring social experience in the context of social change and global processes. Through examining a range of topics such as family life, work, the media and education, students will develop an understanding of major social and cultural changes taking place in Australia and how these impact on the lives of individuals, groups and communities.

2.2 Subject learning outcomes and course learning outcomes Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to: •

1. understand the ways in which individuals' lives are socially shaped;

•

2. compare and contrast the major theoretical approaches in sociology;

•

3. apply a reflexive and critically sociological perspective to the world around them;

•

4. analyse social change within key social institutions

These outcomes will contribute to your overall achievement of course learning outcomes. Your course learning outcomes can be located in the entry for your course in the electronic JCU Course and Subject Handbook 2021 (click on ‘Course Information’ bar/ select ‘Undergraduate Courses’ or ‘Postgraduate Courses’/ select relevant course/ scroll down to ‘Academic Requirements for Course Completion’, ‘Course learning outcomes’).

2.3 Learning and teaching in this subject Students will be required to listen to weekly recordings online and engage with online activities that can all be found in your Learn JCU site. You will engage with the student-centred curriculum framework of CAR – Concepts, Actions, Reflections. This framework requires to take an active role in the learning process – instead of receptacles for information, students will engage in a process of discovery and learning-by-doing which will include working through assessment items designed to open students up to exploring in their own study time aspects of the subject that interest them. The recordings will be delivered weekly and will enable students to be taught on areas related to readings, provide assessment information, discuss in short detail the topics and theories that this subject proposes to make use of. Students will be required to keep up to date with the readings from the textbook and ensure that they develop an independent study schedule of approximately 10 hours per week for this subject. In the weekly recordings, time will be spent reviewing the readings along with key concepts and ideas for the week. Students will also be set videos to watch or current news articles to read during the year. Slides and other material including readings will be uploaded to the LearnJCU site and announcements will be emailed automatically to the students through the LearnJCU function. Students will also be required to sit two online assessments worth 10% each that will assess them on content in a multiplePage 5 of 14

choice format and a final end of year test worth 40%. Information on this is below in the assessment section.

2.4 Student feedback on subject and teaching As part of our commitment at JCU to improving the quality of our courses and teaching, we regularly seek feedback on your learning experiences. Student feedback informs evaluation of subject and teaching strengths and areas that may need refinement or change. YourJCU Subject and Teaching Surveys provide a formal and confidential method for you to provide feedback about your subjects and the staff members teaching within them. These surveys are available to all students through LearnJCU. You will receive an email invitation when the survey opens. We value your feedback and ask that you provide constructive feedback about your learning experiences for each of your subjects, in accordance with responsibilities outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Refrain from providing personal feedback on topics that do not affect your learning experiences. Malicious comments about staff are deemed unacceptable by the University.

Due to feedback on SY1001 in both the internal and external modes, we have moved to more engagement in online activities. We have implemented more opportunities for feedback via the two online tests (worth 10% each). We have also created detailed essay writing information that will assist students in developing their essay for the subject.

2.5 Subject resources and special requirements All subject readings and resources, including journal articles, book chapters, websites, videos, print and eTextbooks, are available to view online from your Readings list via your LearnJCU subject site. Textbooks are listed in your Readings list, including links to library holdings. The JCU Library has limited print copies of prescribed textbooks for two-day loan, and options for viewing available eTextbooks online. Additionally, you can find the most appropriate library subject resources, including dedicated disciplinespecific Library Guides, relevant databases and access to library services and staff through the Your Library tool, in your LearnJCU subject site.

The Textbook for this subject is the following – this can be purchased online at Booktopia or elsewhere

Furze, B., Webb, R., James, S., Petray, T., Brym, R.J., and Lie, J. (2015) Sociology in Today’s World (3rd edition). Cengage Learning, Melbourne, Australia.

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3

Assessment details

3.1 Requirements for successful completion of subject In order to pass this subject, you must: •

Achieve an overall percentage of 50% or more;

•

Submit a “reasonable attempt” at each piece of assessment. A “reasonable attempt” does not have to achieve a passing mark but must show signs of attempting to successfully address the task criteria.

Assessment items and final grades will be reviewed through moderation processes (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.13-5.18). It is important to be aware that assessment “is always subject to final ratification following the examination period and that no single result represents a final grade in a subject” (Learning, Teaching and Assessment Policy, 5.22.).

3.2 Feedback on student learning Students can expect marks and feedback on all submitted work to be returned within 3 weeks of submission barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Assessment items ASSESSMENT ITEM 1: ONLINE TEST NUMBER ONE Aligned subject learning outcomes

•

Learning Outcome One

•

Learning Outcome Two

Group or individual

Individual

Weighting

10%

Due date

Week Five (will be open 9am Monday and close 5pm Wednesday)

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: DESCRIPTION Students will undertake the first of two in-class multiple choice question tests that will test them on their knowledge of key concepts, theories and sociological knowledge from the first four weeks of learning in the subject. This provides an opportunity for students to gain feedback on how they are situated in the subject within the first five weeks of the subject which is important for success in the subject overall. Students will be required to answer 20 multiple choice questions worth ½ a mark each. This test will be located online and is time limited for 50minutes. More details on how to log in and participate in this will be provided.

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ASSESSMENT ITEM 2: ONLINE TEST NUMBER TWO Aligned subject learning outcomes

•

Learning Outcome One

•

Learning Outcome Two

Group or individual

Individual

Weighting

10%

Due date

Week Eight (will be open 9am Monday and close 5pm Wednesday)

ASSESSMENT ITEM 2: DESCRIPTION Students will undertake the first of two in-class multiple choice question tests that will test them on their knowledge of key concepts, theories and sociological knowledge from the first four weeks of learning in the subject. This test covers content from weeks five to seven of the subject. Students will be required to answer 20 multiple choice questions worth ½ a mark each. This test will be located online and is time limited for 50minutes. More details on how to log in and participate in this will be provided.

ASSESSMENT ITEM 3: ESSAY Aligned subject learning outcomes

•

Learning outcome 3

•

Learning outcome 4

Group or individual

Individual

Weighting

40%

Due date

Friday 7th of May, 2021, 5.00PM

ASSESSMENT TASK 3: DESCRIPTION Students will compose a 1500 word essay responding to one of the essay questions located below using literature from this subject and elsewhere. Students will be assessed on the clarity of their paper, their ability to read and make sense of sociological literature on the subject, their ability to critically engage with the literature and compose a well-developed argument through their readings and research. The essay questions cover a range of topics covered from weeks one to ten. However students who wish to cover another topic not listed below are encouraged to approach the lecturer to discuss alternative essay questions and seek approval for a new topic. The essay questions are as follows (select one only) 1.

How do we understand class in contemporary society today?

2.

In what ways does status still operate, if at all, in today’s society?

3. Analyze and describe one or two of the functional and structural changes that have taken place over the past century in relation to family or intimacy 4. Using one theory from the sociology of health and illness, analyse a contemporary health issue (for instance obesity, mental health, ageing, etc)

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5. A large number of individuals commit further crimes after they are released from prison. Some experts suggest that an underlying factor is because these people return to similar environments upon release. Provide an argument that supports this explanation and identify some possible initiatives to address this social problem. Refer to at least one sociological theory and relevant studies. 6. What is underemployment and, sociologically, what are some of the implications for those who are underemployed today? 7. “'Middle class' used to be synonymous with secure, with steady, with boring, because middle-class people were people who were pretty much safe from the time they first started work on through retirement and until their deaths. No longer.” Elizabeth Warren. Critique this statement using sociological theory from this subject. 8. ‘Time is money’ Benjamin Franklin. Critique this statement using sociological theory (for instance Weber) from this subject. 9. Youth subcultures have traditionally been perceived negatively by mainstream media; however, they may also offer young people a sense of belonging and identity. Critically analyse this statement with the support of at least one key theory as well as case studies on youth subcultures. 10. Using a contemporary issue current in the media today, analyse how it is being reported and framed using the sociology of media from this subject.

ASSESSMENT TASK 3: CRITERIA SHEET CONTENT (90%)

Essay has a clear narrative which constructs an interesting argument

HD

D

C

P

N

There is no clear thread to the analysis, no argument or question is presented

Clear explanation of theory and concepts used in the essay and expertly applied. Makes excellent use of the sociological imagination

HD

D

C

P

N

Poor understanding of theory and concepts or incorrectly applied and is not sociologically orientated

Critical engaged with the literature and uses appropriate sources.

HD

D

C

P

N

Poorly engaged with the material and uses poor sources.

Makes good use of examples throughout the essay and applies the theory to it excellently

HD

D

C

P

N

Does not use examples and discusses theory genera...