SOCI 3012 - Taking it to the Streets: Applied Social Sciences

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2020

The aim of Talking it to the Streets: Applied Social Sciences is to prepare students for the workplace. During the semester students will be asked to consider what type of job will suit their personality; their rights and responsibilities in the workplace; and the importance of reflexivity and teamwork during their careers. They will also develop skills in writing briefs, tenders and business plans; making recommendations based on research findings; and considering the financial and other implications of recommendations. Students will also develop an understanding of the different levels of governance in any organisation, the decision making process, and dispute resolutions. There is an emphasis on `hands on? learning during the semester with students working together in small groups to simulate workplace teamwork practices.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code SOCI 3012
    Course Taking it to the Streets: Applied Social Sciences
    Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description The aim of Talking it to the Streets: Applied Social Sciences is to prepare students for the workplace. During the semester students will be asked to consider what type of job will suit their personality; their rights and responsibilities in the workplace; and the importance of reflexivity and teamwork during their careers. They will also develop skills in writing briefs, tenders and business plans; making recommendations based on research findings; and considering the financial and other implications of recommendations. Students will also develop an understanding of the different levels of governance in any organisation, the decision making process, and dispute resolutions. There is an emphasis on `hands on? learning during the semester with students working together in small groups to simulate workplace teamwork practices.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Dee Michell

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Determine the types of workplaces students will be suited for and have an understanding of different personalities in the workplace.
    2 Demonstrate an understanding of rights and responsibilities at work, the importance of ethics and sustainability, and of the need for reflective practice
    3 Show a working knowledge of a variety of workplace writing requirements from procurement plans, briefs, ethics proposals, business plans and tenders
    4 Determine different styles of governance, the importance of stakeholders, decision making processes and dispute resolution.
    5 Work in teams, write in teams, communicate effectively and use feedback productively
    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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    3,4
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 4, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2, 4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 2, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    A reader will be made available online and for students to purchase as a hardcopy
    Recommended Resources
    Additional resources will be made available online
    Online Learning
    Additional resources will be made available online.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    One hour lectures will be followed by 2 hour workshops during which students will work in teams to gather information, debate issues, and solve problems.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 
    1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week
    3 hours reading per week
    7 hours assignment preparation per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1  Introduction
    Week 2 Finding the right fit
    Week 3 Rights and responsibilities
    Week 4 Governance - Part 1
    Week 5 Governance - Part 2
    Week 6 Tender Writing - Part 1
    Week 7  Tender Writing - Part 2
    Week 8 Project Management
    Week 9 Working in Teams
    Week 10 Ethis & Sustainability
    Week 11 Reflective practice in the workplace
    Week 12 Student Presentations
    Specific Course Requirements
    NIL
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    During each workshop students will work in groups of up to 6 students to complete small group discussion exercises that require gathering information, analysing problems, debating issues, making recommendations, and considering the implications of recommendation (financial, ethical, social). Students will share the results of their discussion with the rest of the class.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
     1500 word business brief  Formative & Summative 10% weighting
    Workshop activities Formative & Summative 15% weighting
    Weekly quizzes based on lectures & readings  Formative & Summative 20% weighting
    Group presentation Summative 10% weighting
    4500 word group tender writing project Summative 45% weighting
    Assessment Related Requirements
    NIL
    Assessment Detail
    Business brief: Students will be required to write a 1500 word business brief – 10% weighting

    Workshop activities: Students will be required to participate in a range of small group activities each week some of which will be assessed, those small assessments contributing to the overall weighting – 15% weighting 

    Weekly Quizzes: Students will be required to complete a weekly quiz prior to the weekly workshop – 20% weighting 

    Group Presentation: Students will be required to work in small groups and present their work to the class in the final week - 10% weighting

    Group Tender Writing Project: Students will be required to work in a group in order to produce a written tender – 45% weighting.
    Submission
    Online
    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.

  • 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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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