Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 101886

Coordinator Julia Kantek Opens in new window

Description The discipline of Sociology has witnessed a transformation reflecting significant changes in society and social life. This subject re-examines the sociological dimensions of a variety of social concerns, for example: environmental issues, global migration, health, religion, indigeneity, gender, ethnic conflict and sub-cultural groups and asks: In the 'brave new world' of contemporary society we need to re-evaluate the conventional sociological concern of social structure and inequality in the face of these broad social changes. This subject will examine the social transformations which characterise contemporary social life; in particular the pace of social change and the implications of social media. In exploring these social concerns the links are drawn between more recent theoretical constructs and the more traditional focus on national social structures and inequalities. The subject will place special emphasis on concepts such as risk, individualism and uncertainty.

School Social Sciences

Discipline Sociology

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of recent developments in sociological thought and the reasons behind them
2. Apply recent sociological perspectives to some of the key social problems and/or challenges presented globally and within contemporary Australian life
3. Demonstrate a reflexive stance on the various sociological perspectives presented
4. Analyse some specific examples of how global processes of change can impact people�fs everyday lives in local contexts
5. Discuss, through a sociological lens, various possible, probable and preferred social futures with reference to current social trends

Subject Content

Social Change
Rethinking social class in the age of uncertainty
Global poverty and the global economy
Family and social change
Mobility and globalisation
Ecology and risk
Youth subcultures in the face of social change
Identity and identity politics
Social change movements
Religion for generation x and y
Health in the face of the risk society
Social networks in the 21st century