SOCS1100 Course Outline PDF

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School of Humanities and Social Science SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 – 2021

The School of Humanities and Social Science is committed to providing an inclusive environment in which all cultures are accorded respect and all students and staff are expected to act with honesty, fairness, trustworthiness and accountability in dealings with others. The School recognizes and respects the unique histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their unbroken relationship with the lands and the waters of Australia over millennia, and the validity of Aboriginal ways of knowing. We are dedicated to reconciliation and to offering opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access and succeed in higher education.

OVERVIEW Course Description

This course comprises two streams. The first stream introduces students to the utility of the Social Sciences; to develop an understanding of the social world in which social scientists operate to develop and run social programs; and introduce social issues and debates which relate to the professional work of social scientists. The major assignment for the second stream is a focus group. Students will run the group, transcribe the interview and analyse the interview data. Along with this a series of practical workshops which will provide students with the skills necessary to undertake this task and produce a professional research report. In addition to interview and analysis skills, the workshops will cover: computer literacy, effective use of the internet, and competency with word processing, databases and presentation software as they apply in the Social Sciences. Other aspects of professional practice such as written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, and working in groups are also covered. Students are expected to reach a level of competence in these skills, starting from very different skill backgrounds.

Requisites

This course is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science and associated combined programs.

Assumed Knowledge Contact Hours

SOCA1010 Society and Culture: A Sociological Introduction. Lecture Online 1 hour(s) per Week for 7 Weeks (Weeks 1-7) Tutorial Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for 8 Weeks (Weeks 1-7, 12) Computer Lab Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per Week for 4 Weeks (Weeks 8-11)

Unit Weighting Workload

10 Students are required to spend on average 120-140 hours of effort (contact and non-contact) including assessments per 10 unit course.

CRICOS Provider 00109J

SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021

CONTACTS Course Coordinator

Callaghan and Ourimbah Dr Julia Coffey [email protected] 02 4348 4081 Consultation: 10am Tuesdays, or by email appointment Room HO1.12 Humanities Building, Ourimbah.

Teaching Staff

Other teaching staff will be advised on the course Blackboard site.

School Office

School of Humanities and Social Science Social Sciences Building Callaghan [email protected] 02 4921 5155/7318 School of Humanities and Social Science H01.43 Humanities Building Ourimbah [email protected] +61 2 4349 4962 / 4934

SYLLABUS Course Content

This course introduces students to the foundational skills and knowledge required for professional practice in a range of Social Science related careers, with a focus on social research, social policy and the social context of government interventions in society. Seminars will provide: • foundational knowledge of social research methods, including epistemological debates and links between social theory and various methods; • an understanding of the key aspects of the social world in which professions in the social sciences operate; • an understanding of the broad frameworks through which social policy is created and enacted. Tutorial Workshops will cover: interview techniques, transcription of interview material and analysis of interview data, foundational computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets and critical use of the internet), effective library research (including use of electronic databases), time management, research report and essay writing, presentation skills and use of MS PowerPoint, referencing and plagiarism, managing group work, and interpersonal communication skills.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate a proficient understanding of foundational social science knowledge and debates in the areas of program management, policy analysis and social research. 2. Critically appraise and discuss the relevant literature. 3. Competently use a range of information and communication technologies in social sciences and humanities. 4. Demonstrate professional competency in written, oral, group work and interpersonal communication skills.

Course Materials

All readings are provided online through Blackboard.

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SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021

SCHEDULE Week 1

Week Begins

Topic and format

Learning Activity

19 July

Lecture: Introduction to the Course & Key Economic Debates

Course overview discussion: Please prepare any questions or concerns you have regarding the details in the Course Outline

Seminar

2

26 July

Lecture: Neoliberalism and Governmentality

Comments

Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture (please refer Course Readings section below) Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture

Seminar

Select essay topics, begin to 'read around' topic (from reading list under the relevant topic in Assessments folder) Brainstorm potential group research project topic and questions Consideration of issue topic for possible group research project

3

2 Aug

Lecture: Contemporary Inequalities: Social Class

Seminar

4

5

9 Aug

16 Aug

Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture Discussion of essay skills, including finding and referencing academic sources

Lecture: Contemporary Inequalities: Genders and Sexualities

Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture

Seminar

Form research groups (ahead of focus groups to be conducted in week 8)

Lecture: Contemporary Inequalities: Race, Culture and Whiteness

Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture

Seminar

Explanation of IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 1: HARVARD REFERENCING (5%) Due in seminar week 6.

Use 'Essay writing' materials (lecture, slides) from Learning Development materials to begin planning for your Essay.

Essay drafting. Working effectively in research groups.

Essay drafting Brainstorm focus group questions with research group

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SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021 6

23 Aug

Lecture: Environment, land use and climate change

Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture

Seminar

Discussion of writing skills, essay formatting and reference guidelines Due: IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 1: HARVARD REFERENCING (5%)

7

30 Aug

Final Lecture: Introduction to Qualitative Research: Conducting Focus Groups

6 Sep

ESSAY DUE (30%) Friday 27 August 11.59pm

Organise focus groups participants, place, roles of research group members

Focus groups and interviews in the Social Sciences

Seminar 8

Discussion questions based on Essential Readings and Lecture

Further discussion of possible focus group questions

No seminar:

Use class time to conduct your Focus Group

Due: IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 2: Be a participant in another group's research focus group (5%).

1. Conduct Focus Group Use your seminar time to conduct your group research project's focus group 2. Also volunteer to participate in another group's project (5%).

9

13 Sep

Computer lab: Transcribing and Analysing Qualitative Data

Explanation of IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 3: Qualitative analysis (5%), due week 10.

Transcribe recorded interviews Read transcripts, begin analysis and coding (looking for patterns; themes)

Mid semester break 10

4th Oct *public holiday*

Computer lab: Writing a Literature Review

Classes commence

11 Oct

Finalise transcripts Write literature review draft

Explanation of IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 4: Powerpoint Presentations (5%), due week 11.

5th Oct

11

Due: IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 3: Qualitative analysis (5%)

Computer lab Completing your Research Report

Due: IN-CLASS SKILLS EXERCISE 4: Powerpoint Presentations (5%)

Bring transcripts to 'live' labs to be checked. Coding transcript data; drafting literature review; drafting report. Writing up your analysis

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SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021 12

18 Oct

Seminar: Group Presentations

13

25 Oct

Due: RESEARCH GROUP PRESENTATION (10%)

Finalising research report – due next week

No classes

Due: RESEARCH GROUP REPORT DUE 11.59 pm FRIDAY 29th OCTOBER (40%) Formal Examination Period Formal Examination Period

ASSESSMENTS This course has 4 assessments. Each assessment is described in more detail in the sections below. Assessment Name

Due Date

1 2

Essay Executive Skill Set Exercises In class

3 4

Oral Presentation Research Report

Friday 27 August 11.59pm In class: Week 6: Referencing (5%) Week 8: Focus group participant (5%) Week 10: Analysis (5%) Week 11: Powerpoint (5%) In class week 12 Friday 29 October 11.59pm

Late Submissions

Involveme nt Individual Individual

Weighting 30% 20%

Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4 3, 4

Group Group

10% 40%

1, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4

The mark for an assessment item submitted after the designated time on the due date, without an approved extension of time, will be reduced by 10% of the possible maximum mark for that assessment item for each day or part day that the assessment item is late. Note: this applies equally to week and weekend days.

Assessment 1 – Individual Essay (30%) Assessment Type Purpose

Description

Essay The essay topics cover the key debates handled in the lecture series. Students will be expected to make use of at least 6 academic references for their essay topic for the essay they choose. Essay topics are listed in the Assessments folder on Blackboard. It is expected that students will begin with the references listed below for their essay topics before searching for further material. The references listed here will be available in short loans. Essays should be written in academic genre (like an article in an academic journal) with a proper referencing and reference list. Your SOCA1010 textbook gives a good introduction to referencing and essay writing: Germov, J., & Poole, M. (2019). A sociological toolkit. AND Writing a Sociological Essay In Public Sociology. An Introduction to Australian Society (4th ed., pp. 540–552). Allen & Unwin.

Weighting Length Due Date Submission Method Assessment Criteria

30% 2000 words Friday 27 August, 11.59pm Blackboard, Turnitin. Please refer to the Assessments folder in Blackboard.

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SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021

Assessment 2 – Individual Executive Skill Set Exercises - In class (20%) Assessment Type Purpose Description Weighting Due Date

Submission Method Assessment Criteria Return Method

Tutorial / Laboratory Exercises These four assessment tasks are in-class exercises. They are to be completed in class and will constitute parts of your research report (which will be assessed separately). The necessary instructions to complete these tasks will be provided in class. Please also see the Assessments folder on Blackboard. 20% Week 6: Referencing Week 8: Participate in Focus Group Week 10: Qualitative analysis Week 11: Powerpoint presentation In Class Rubric on Blackboard, Assessments folder. In Class

Assessment 3 – Group Oral Presentation (10%) Assessment Type Purpose Description Weighting Length Due Date Submission Method Assessment Criteria

Presentation Presentation based on your focus group findings and Research Report. In your group, prepare a 15 minute presentation of your research findings to present in seminar time in week 12. You will be assessed on your ability to work effectively as a group to prepare a presentation, and on the content of your presentation. 10% 15 minutes Week 12, during the seminar times In Class Rubric on Blackboard, Assessments folder.

Assessment 4 – Group Research Report (40%) Assessment Type Purpose Description

Weighting Length Due Date Submission Method Assessment Criteria Return Method Feedback Provided

Report Prepare a research report on a social issue and people’s attitudes to that issue - as revealed in a focus group interview. The report will be written collaboratively with your group. It will be assessed as a 'wiki' on Blackboard to show each group member's contribution to writing the report. The report must include a) A discussion of existing research on the issue (a literature review) covering three recent academic journal articles. c) A report of the focus group discussion with your own analysis of examples of interview transcript. d) A conclusion discussing the relationship between your own findings and the existing research. 40% 2000-2500 words Friday 29th October, 11.59pm Blackboard, via Wiki group Rubric on Blackboard, Assessments folder. Online Online

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SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Grading Scheme This course is graded as follows: Range of Grade Description Marks 85-100 High Outstanding standard indicating comprehensive knowledge Distinction and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of (HD) an outstanding level of academic achievement; mastery of skills*; and achievement of all assessment objectives. 75-84 Distinction Excellent standard indicating a very high level of knowledge (D) and understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a very high level of academic ability; sound development of skills*; and achievement of all assessment objectives. 65-74 Credit Good standard indicating a high level of knowledge and (C) understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of a high level of academic achievement; reasonable development of skills*; and achievement of all learning outcomes. 50-64 Pass Satisfactory standard indicating an adequate knowledge and (P) understanding of the relevant materials; demonstration of an adequate level of academic achievement; satisfactory development of skills*; and achievement of all learning outcomes. 0-49 Fail Failure to satisfactorily achieve learning outcomes. If all (FF) compulsory course components are not completed the mark will be zero. A fail grade may also be awarded following disciplinary action. *Skills are those identified for the purposes of assessment task(s). Communication Methods

Communication methods used in this course include:

Course Evaluation

Each year feedback is sought from students and other stakeholders about the courses offered in the University for the purposes of identifying areas of excellence and potential improvement.

Oral Interviews

As part of the evaluation process of any assessment item in this course an oral examination may be conducted. The purpose of the oral examination is to verify the authorship of the material submitted in response to the assessment task. The oral examination will be conducted in accordance with the principles set out in the Oral Examination Guidelines. In cases where the oral examination reveals the assessment item may not be the student's own work the case will be dealt with under the Student Conduct Rule.

Academic Misconduct

All students are required to meet the academic integrity standards of the University. These standards reinforce the importance of integrity and honesty in an academic environment. Academic Integrity policies apply to all students of the University in all modes of study and in all locations. For the Student Academic Integrity Policy, refer to https://policies.newcastle.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=35.

Adverse Circumstances

The University acknowledges the right of students to seek consideration for the impact of allowable adverse circumstances that may affect their performance in assessment item(s). Applications for special consideration due to adverse circumstances will be made using the online Adverse Circumstances system where: 1. the assessment item is a major assessment item; or 2. the assessment item is a minor assessment item and the Course Co-ordinator has specified in the Course Outline that students may apply the online Adverse Circumstances system; 3. you are requesting a change of placement; or 4. the course has a compulsory attendance requirement. Before applying you must refer to the Adverse Circumstance Affecting Assessment Items Page 7 of 8

SOCS1100: Professional Practice and Key Debates in Social Sciences Callaghan and Ourimbah Semester 2 - 2021 Procedure available at: https://policies.newcastle.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=236

Important Policy Information

The 'HELP for Students' tab in UoNline contains important information that all students should be familiar with, including various systems, policies and procedures.

This course outline was approved by the Head of School. No alteration of this course outline is permitted without Head of School approval. If a change is approved, students will be notified and an amended course outline will be provided in the same manne r as the original. © 2021 The University of Newcastle, Australia

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COURSE READINGS AND SEMINAR DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Week One - Introduction to the course and key economic debates ESSENTIAL READING 1. Rees, Stuart 1994, “Economic rationalism: an ideology of exclusion” Australian Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 29, no. 2, May 1994, pp. 171-185 Optional background reading: Connell, R. & Dados, N. 2014. ‘Where in the world does neoliberalism come from? The market agenda in southern perspective’. Theory and Society, 43, 117-138. Note: This reading gives a historical background to the complex economic context of neoliberalism. It recommended to get you started thinking about the issues we will discuss in week 1’s lecture and the coming weeks. Don’t worry if you don’t grasp all of it at once. Tasks: Thoroughly read course guide and assessments and bring these to the...