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Sociological Perspectives

Unit Code:HAS201

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	One Semester or Teaching Period	36 hours	Hawthorn	HAS111 Sociological Foundations or HAS112 Social Institutions and Social Change or HAS113 Sociology of the Environment; and second year standing (successful completion of 8 units of study).	Nil

Credit Points

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

12.5 Credit Points

One Semester or Teaching Period

36 hours

Hawthorn

HAS111 Sociological Foundations or HAS112 Social Institutions and Social Change or HAS113 Sociology of the Environment; and second year standing (successful completion of 8 units of study).

Nil

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology), Sociology co-major and minor.

Aims & Objectives:

To develop student’s knowledge of classical and contemporary sociological perspectives, and to explore the ways in which these supports social research and policy.

Learning Objectives

After completing this unit of study students should have developed an understanding of:

§ The major theoretical perspectives employed in analysis of the social world, and in policy development.

Students are expected to develop their skills in:

§ Distinguishing between the major theoretical perspectives and research methodologies employed by sociologists.

§ Critically evaluating published work

§ Undertaking library and other research.

§ Communicating their findings orally and in written form.

§ Identifying existing knowledge and skills

§ Evaluating additional resources/skills required to effectively respond to assessment tasks within the discipline of sociology.

Teaching Methods:

Lectures (2 hours), tutorials (1 hour) and independent study.

Assessment:

Class work such as work sheets and peer evaluation (10%)
Tutorial presentation (5%)
Tutorial paper (15%)
Essay (35%)
Examination (35%)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce graduates who are:

§ Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas

§ Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community

§ Effective and ethical in work and community situations

§ Adaptable and able to manage change

§ Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural)

Content:

This unit examines the most influential schools of social thought, their sources in nineteenth century thought and their influence on present-day social thinking: The following theoretical perspectives are analysed for their core assumptions, ideological foundations, approaches to knowledge, and policy applications:

Marx, Weber and Durkheim and their followers
Symbolic inteactionists and their followers
Feminist theorists
Postmodern theorists

Reading Materials:

Ritzer, G & Goodman, DJ, Sociological Theory, 6th edn, McGraw-Hill, New York. 2003