Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology)

Overview

Description:
 Sociology is the study of social relationships, groups, institutions and processes in the contemporary world. It examines our contemporary society and the social changes that occur in the economy, social institutions, education, the family, industrial relations, the political system and in our culture. Sociologists are at the forefront of attempts to understand the causes and consequences of changes that are transforming our lives.

Sociology equips you to examine, and to link together, the personal and public issues that define contemporary life. JCU sociology subjects cover a wide range of social issues as well as skills in sociological research and analysis.

Governments and non-governmental organisations apply the work of sociologists in policy analysis and development. Market research organisations also employ sociologists to understand the diverse markets for different products. Sociology is used wherever questions arise about the effects of social structures or the direction of social change.
 
Duration:
 3 years fulltime
 
Mode:
 On campus, full or part time *
 
Workload:
 Normal workload expectations are a minimum of 10 hours per week for every subject, including class contact hours, preparation and time spent on assessment tasks.
 
Type:
 Undergraduate
 
Credit points:
 72 credit points o
 
Mid-year entry:
 Yes
 
Prerequisite/s:
 English
 
Campus:
 Townsville, Cairns ^
 
Faculty:
 Arts, Education and Social Sciences
 
QTAC code:
 311261 Townsville; 321261 Cairns
 

* Duration: Part-time study is available to domestic students only.

o Credit points: Represent the combined value of individual subjects in a degree. One subject usually constitutes three credit points.

^ Not all subjects are available at both.
 

Joint Degree Options

Joint degrees give students expertise in a complementary discipline in reduced time and can enhance career prospects. At JCU this degree can be combined with:

Bachelor of Community Welfare

Bachelor of Psychology

Bachelor of Social Work

Structure

Disclaimer - The list of subjects below is correct for 2008, but may change for 2009. Prospective students should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and the availability of courses.

The Bachelor of Social Science degree is characterised by its diversity and flexibility. Students must major in two disciplines (see relevant major for other discipline structure).

Level 1

SY1001:03 Australian Society: An Introduction to Sociology

Plus

12 credit points of level 1 study as specified in requirement 3 of the Award Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts and a maximum of 9 credit points selected from the Master Schedule of Subjects and in accordance with the Award Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Level 2 and Level 3

Select 18 credit points from the following:

SY2001:03 / SY3001:03 New Forms of Work, Organization and Power

SY2010:03 / SY3010:03 Sociology of Health and Medicine

SY2016:03 / SY3016:03 Gods, Myths and Cults

SY2018:03 / SY3018:03 Power and Protest in a Globalizing World

SY2019:03 / SY3019:03 Youth Identity and Popular Culture

SY2012:03 / SY3012:03 Social Survey Design and Analysis

SY2022:03 / SY3022:03 Family, Gender and Sexuality in Contemporary Society

SY2005:03 / SY3005:03 Qualitative Research

PLUS

6 credit points selected from the following cognate subjects:

AN2004:03 / AN3004:03 Medical Anthropology

AN2008:03 / AN3008:03 Myth and Ritual

AN2013:03 / AN3013:03 Culture, Knowledge and the Environment

AN2106:03 / AN3106:03 Anthropology of Violence

CU2030:03 Science Fiction, Fantasy and Popular Culture

CU2031:03 Crime and Popular Culture

CY2001:03 / CY3001:03 Perspectives on Criminology

CY2002:03 / CY3002:03 Youth Deviance

IA3012:03 Indigenous Australian World Views 3: Introduction to Indigenous Research

PL2003:03 / PL3003:03 Government Democratisation and the State

WS3214:03 Developmental Approaches to Eco-Social Justice

Remaining credit points in accordance with the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts.

Level 4 (Honours)

SY4017:06 Sociology Honours Seminar A

SY4018:06 Sociology Honours Seminar B

SY4100:06 Sociology Honours Thesis Part 1 of 2

SY4101:06 Sociology Honours Thesis Part 2 of 2

Honours

An Honours program is available for those students who demonstrate high academic performance. Honours consists of an extra year of study and the development of a personal research project and thesis. An Honours degree is usually essential for entry to research higher degrees. The Faculty also offers a wide range of postgraduate study opportunities.

Career Opportunities

Social science graduates with a major in sociology apply their understanding and analysis of social processes in many careers and roles in the public and private sectors:

management;

market research;

community and government services;

community planning and development;

public policy development, analysis and impact assessment.

Practical Experience

Sociology has no formal work placement programs, but students are encouraged to relate their studies to their experiences in work, family and health.

Professional Recognition

There is no official registration of professional sociologists in Australia. However, many graduate sociologists are members of The Australian Sociological Association and/or the Australian Social Research Association.

Special Facilities

The School has excellent computer facilities that are used particularly in research methods subjects.

Back to James Cook University

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