CULT 1019 Understanding Society (WSTC)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700049

Coordinator Mona Shrestha Opens in new window

Description Understanding Society introduces first year students to key sociological concepts, methods and theories used for the examination of individuals, social interactions, institutions and structures. Students explore how individual experiences are connected to wider social patterns. Considering questions of power, students will be introduced to various debates concerning structure and agency, and will examine social inequality. With a focus on contemporary social life, the unit provides opportunity for students to consider current social issues and processes of social change. At the conclusion of their studies in this unit students will have been presented with opportunities to develop skills in critical reading and sociological analysis.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Society and Culture, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

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Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Co-requisite(s) Students enrolled in the combined DiplomaBachelor courses listed below must pass all College Preparatory units listed in the course structure before progressing to the Year Two units

Equivalent Subjects CULT 1017 - Understanding Society

Restrictions Students must be enrolled at Western Sydney University, The College. Students enrolled in extended diplomas must pass 40 credit points from the preparatory subjects listed in the program structure prior to enrolling in this University level subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

Explain key concepts in sociology.
Identify key characteristics of the major theoretical frameworks used in sociology.
Identify relevant sources, and assess approaches to and claims about social processes and institutions in contemporary society.
Apply a sociological understanding of power, social inequality and social change to case study materials.
Demonstrate reading, writing and referencing skills commensurate with university scholarship.

Subject Content

The sociological perspective
Individual and social identities
Social groups and relationships
Social institutions
Power, structure and agency
Social inequality
Social change

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item	Length	Percent	Threshold	Individual/Group Task
Workbook Activities	Weekly entries. 500 words. (Students need to complete at least one activity in order to be considered as having attempted this assessment).	30	N	Individual
Essay	1500 words	40	N	Individual
Case Study	1000 words	30	N	Individual

Prescribed Texts

McCormack, M., Anderson, E., Jamie, K. and David, M. (2018). Discovering sociology. London, UK: Palgrave. Only currently available via 2020 Digital Textbook Initiative. IE: Not available online via library catalogue.

Teaching Periods