Introduction to Sociology
PSS100
Overview
Level of study: What does Undergraduate Level 1 mean?
Undergraduate Level 1
EFTSL: What does EFTSL mean?
0.125
Delivery Method: What does delivery method mean?
Fully Online
Prerequisites: What are the prerequisites?
No
Duration:
13 weeks
Description
This unit introduces students to key concepts and debates in sociology and explores contemporary issues in Australian society. We explore social identities, social inequalities and social transformations, and examine a range of substantive areas which may include youth culture, consumption, media, popular culture, health and illness, social movements, globalisation and sustainability.
Assessment
- Essay 1 — Minor Essay (15%-25%)
- Essay 2 — Reflective Essay (35%-45%)
- Essay 3 — Final Essay (35%-45%)
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of this unit students will be able to:
- understand basic sociological concepts
- think critically about contemporary social relations
- apply sociological concepts to the analysis of current social issues
- analyse the ways in which social processes, movements and structures shape individuals, groups and identity in Australian society.
Topics
This unit addresses the following topics.
| Number | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Race and Ethnicity |
| 2 | Culture and Socialisation |
| 3 | Gender |
| 4 | Healthcare |
| 5 | Sociological Theory |
| 6 | Class |
| 7 | Social Movements |
| 8 | Sociological Perspective |
| 9 | Social Structures, Social Interaction |
| 10 | Education |
| 11 | Marriage and Family |
| 12 | Politics |
Study Resources
This unit is delivered using the following methods and materials:
Instructional Methods
- Blogs
- Chat rooms
- Discussion Forum/Discussion Board
- Online assignment submission
- Podcasting/Lecture capture
- Standard Media
- Web links
Print based materials
- Welcome Letter
Online materials
- Printable format materials
Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a unit.
Click on the titles of the listed books below to find out more:
Recommended textbooks
Relevant Courses
This unit is a core requirement in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Behavioural Studies (Psychology), Swinburne University of Tnlgy
- Bachelor of Behavioural Studies, Swinburne University of Tnlgy
This unit may be eligible for credit towards other courses:
- Many undergraduate courses on offer through OUA include 'open elective' where any OUA unit can be credited to the course. You need to check the Award Requirements on the course page for the number of allowed open electives and any level limitations.
- In other cases, the content of this unit might be relevant to a course on offer through OUA or elsewhere. In order to receive credit for this unit in the course you will need to supply the provider institution with a copy of the Unit Profile in the approved format, which you can download here. Note that the Unit Profile is set at the start of the year, and if textbooks change this may not match the Unibooks textbook list.
