GSSA 1001 - Social Sciences in Australia
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GSSA 1001 Course Social Sciences in Australia Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible GWSI 1001, GWSI 1001EX Assessment 500 word short critical assignment (15%), 1800 word essay OR 1800 word take home exam (45%), 600 word take home exam (15%), tutorial participation (5%), tutorial exercises (20%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Dee Michell
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the role the social sciences play in critical discussions relating to Australian society specifically and more broadly on a global scale;
2. Identitfy the characteristics of social science research, critical reading and analytical reading;
3. Be able to locate, access and evaluate a range of resources available to support critical research and writing;
4. Demonstrate a critical approach to ethical issues in the context of public discourses about contemporary issues and debates;
5. Be able to confidently engage with unfamiliar texts;
6. Be able to prepare and deliver coherent and logically argued written texts;
7. Demonstrate productive and respectful engagement with their peers in group work.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3,4,5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1,2,34,6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 7 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 2,3,5 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1,4 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Social Sciences in Australia Reader can be purchased at Image and Copy Centre -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Throughout the semester students will be required to attend a 2 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial each week.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
1 x 2-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester 1 x 1-hour tutorial (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester 6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester 2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester 2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Week 1 Introduction Week 2 Public Holiday Week 3 Youth Week 4 Gender Week 5 Class Week 6 Consumption Week 7 Mid-semester break Week 8 Mid-semester break Week 9 Australian cultures Week 10 Whiteness/reconciliation Week 11 Work and family Week 12 Ethnicity and immigration Week 13 Where to from here -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Tutorial attendance and participation Formative and Summative 5% 1, 4, 7 Tutorial exercises Formative and Summative 20% 1-7 500 word short critical assignment Formative and Summative 15% 1-7 1800 word essay OR take home exam Formative and Summative 45% 1-7 600 word take home exam Formative and Summative 15% 1-7 Assessment Related Requirements
Students are required to complete all assessment tasks to be eligible to pass the course.Assessment Detail
Tutorials provide opportunities for students actively to explore some of the ideas, theories and examples contained in the readings and lectures in more depth. All students will be required to have read the set readings and thus contribute in an informed way to the tutorial discussion. While no written work is associated with the tutorial, an assessment component is attached to attendance and participation as well as weekly exercises that require preparation before the lecture. To ensure that students demonstrate, not only that they have read the readings but can also contribute to an informed and critical discussion based on their knowledge of the readings and completion of weekly activities, a weighting of 15% of the course assessment is given. A further 5% is weekly attendance, which is also required by all students.
This subject attracts students from a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences and views. We value that diversity and expect that our study together will encourage an attitude of mutual respect for the person and their experiences even if the views expressed are diametrically opposed to your own. In criticising another person's views please attempt to be constructive and engage in debate with the argument or idea, not by negating or 'putting down' the person who has expressed that view.
Attendance at tutorials and lectures: The weekly lecture discussions build on, contextualise and apply ideas found in the readings.
Submission
All assignments must be submitted online via the relevant MyUni course site.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
