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 subject provides opportunity for students to consider current social issues and processes of social change. At the conclusion of their studies in this subject 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

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects CULT 1017 - Understanding Society

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled at The College to enrol in this subject.
Students enrolled in Extended Diploma College programs must have passed 40 credit points of the preparatory subjects in these programs in order to register in this subject.
Students enrolled in Integrated Diploma/Bachelor programs must have passed or be enrolled in the preparatory subjects in these programs in order to register in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Explain key concepts in sociology.
2. Identify key characteristics of the major theoretical frameworks used in sociology.
3. Identify relevant sources, and assess approaches to and claims about social processes and institutions in contemporary society.
4. Apply a sociological understanding of power, social inequality and social change to case study materials.
5. 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