Introduction to Contemporary Social Issues
UndergraduateMUR-SOC1012026
Course information for 2026 intake
Enrol today with instant approval and no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 19 July 2026
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 15 weeks
- Start dates
- 27 July 2026
- Price from
- $2,176
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Introduction to Contemporary Social Issues
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- Identify key sociological issues affecting the care sector today, including inequality, social justice, aging, disability, and mental health.
- Describe the role of gender, race, and class in shaping the distribution of care work and the experiences of care workers and recipients.
- Describe the social, political, and economic implications of privatisation and the informal care economy.
- Apply sociological theories to contemporary issues in the care sector and propose solutions for creating more equitable and inclusive care practices.
- Explain the relationship between social policy, state intervention, and care work.
- A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.
This subject provides an in-depth sociological exploration of the contemporary social issues and challenges faced in contemporary society. Through a combination of sociological theory and practical case studies, students will examine the key social challenges that shape and impact our lives today, including issues related to inequality, social justice, disability, aging, mental health, and racism. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how social structures, policies, and cultural norms inform broad social issues.
The subject will also explore the role of the state, private sector, and civil society in shaping responses to contemporary social issues. Students will engage with debates around inequality, and the shifting boundaries of public and private responsibility in areas such as housing, health, and education. Emphasis will be placed on developing critical thinking skills, challenging dominant narratives, and applying sociological insights to imagine more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable futures.
Please Note: All students studying at Murdoch University will need to complete the compulsory unit, Murdoch Academic Passport (MAP100), which only takes 2-3 hours to complete online. Find out more: http://goto.murdoch.edu.au/MurdochAcademicPassport.
- Sociological Analysis of a Social Issue in the Care Sector (30%)
- Policy Evaluation: The Role of the State in Care Provision (35%)
- Solutions for a Social Issue in the Care Sector (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 25,000 students and 2,400 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
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- QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 24
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:
- 26
Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
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