The course will introduce students to major topics in social psychology, with an emphasis on sociological approaches. The course will focus specifically on normative, cultural and cross-cultural dimensions of social psychological aspects of human behaviour. Students will be introduced to the notion of the social self, including self-perception and self-presentation. Subsequent topics may include the formation and change of attitudes and values, social judgement, persuasion, attraction, altruism and self-interest, and group behaviour. Case studies will show how social psychological processes are found in everyday life.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 

1. understand the major theories of the self  in sociology and sociologically-oriented social psychology;
2. evaluate and compare the relevance of these theories;
3. apply these theories to everyday life and contemporary social issues; and
4. reflect on and discuss their learning in relation to the course content.

Staff Feedback

Students will receive feedback on their academic performance in the following ways:

• Specific individual written comments on Assessment Items 2 and 3
• General constructive feedback on Assessment Items 2 and 3 in tutorials
• Verbal feedback on Assessment Item 1 (tutorial participation) where requested

Graded assessment items will be returned to students on Wattle in the first instance. You will be able to make individual appointments with your class tutor at any point to discuss her/his feedback in more detail should you wish.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Additional Assessment Rules

Double-spaced and word-processed copies of assessment item 4 must be submitted electronically on Wattle via the appropriate link by 23:59pm (AEDT) on the specified assessment due date. Students who miss the deadline will accrue a 5% penalty for each working day that coursework is overdue. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to upload the correct document by the stated deadline. The ANU is now using Turnitin software to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to monitor assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Please note, coursework must be submitted through Turnitin unless an exemption has been formally approved by the CASS Associate Dean of Education. You will be required to sign an electronic declaration as part of the submission process. Please retain an electronic copy of your work. The default referencing style adopted for SOCY1004 written work is Harvard. Students are expected to adhere strictly to the word limit set for each assessment activity, although leniency will be shown to those either over or under the word limit by a maximum of 10%. If your work exceeds the 10% quota, it will accrue a 10% penalty.

Course learning aids

The key information and learning interface for SOCY1004 is Wattle. Wattle will be the platform used for uploading assessment items 3 and 4. Please note that the course teaching team have the capacity to monitor your use of Wattle—e.g. to check whether you have downloaded course materials etc.—and thus infer from that your degree of course engagement. Students are expected to browse the Wattle page at least three times a week to access a range of learning resources, including lecture notes/recordings, tutorial materials, class forum posts and additional readings. The Wattle site will also provide instructions for your weekly class tutorial tasks. In addition, students are expected to regularly check their ANU email account as important course information and announcements will be sent to that address. Please note that course tutors and lecturers are not obliged to respond to emails sent from private accounts such as gmail and yahoo etc.

If you have any questions or concerns about the course, I encourage you to ask them on the ‘SOCY1004 Course Forum’ facility on Wattle. That way, everyone in the course gets the benefit of the knowledge transfer.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Tutorial Topic Presentation / Durkheim and Weber You must come to tutorials in Week 1 Lecture Topic The Social Determinants of Individual Psychology Authors studied: Emile Durkheim and Max Weber	Tutorial Participation
2	Tutorial Topic Marx and Tarde Lecture Topic How do Individuals Contribute to Social Change? Authors studied: Karl Marx and Gabriel Tarde	Tutorial Participation
3	Tutorial Topic Mead and Cooley Lecture Topic Shapes our Minds Authors studied: George H. Mead and Charles H. Cooley	Tutorial Participation
4	Tutorial Topic Ruth Benedict and Ralph Linton Lecture Topic The Fabric of Social Roles and Personalities Authors studied: Culture and Personality School, Frankfurt School	Tutorial Participation
5	Tutorial Topic Palmer and Hughes Lecture Topic The Ecology of Social Groups Authors studied: Vivian Palmer and Everett C. Hughes	Tutorial Participation
6	Tutorial Topic Parsons and Merton Lecture Topic The Functions of Institutions and Behaviours Authors studied: Talcott Parsons and Robert Merton	Tutorial Participation
7	Tutorial Topic Bourdieu Lecture Topic The Embodiment of Social Positions Authors studied: Pierre Bourdieu	Tutorial Participation 2 Hours Take-Home Exam
8	Tutorial Topic Goffman and Collins Lecture Topic The Interaction Order Authors studied: Erving Goffman and Randal Collins	Tutorial Participation
9	Tutorial Topic Visual Assignment preparation Lecture Topic Networks and Emotions Authors studied: Norbert Elias and Arlie Hochschild	Tutorial Participation
10	Tutorial Topic Visual Assignment preparation Lecture Topic Contemporary Issues in Social-Psychological Theory Authors studied: Post-Marxist theorists and network theorists	Tutorial Participation
11	Tutorial Topic Visual Assignment preparation Lecture Topic Power and Knowledge Authors studied: Judith Butler and Michel Foucault	Tutorial Participation
12	Tutorial Topic ?Exam Preparation Lecture Topic How to prepare for a Sociology exam?	Tutorial Participation Assessment 3 due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial Participation	10 %	*	30/11/2020	2, 3 and 4
Mid-Term Take Home Examination	20 %	02/09/2020	10/10/2020	1
Video Project	35 %	28/10/2020	30/11/2020	3 and 4
Take Home Examination	35 %	06/11/2020	30/11/2020	1, 2 and 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Workload

The workload will be one lecture and one tutorial per week (total of three contact hours per week) with the expectation of a further seven non-contact hours per week of independent study.

General course workload expectations may be summarised as follows:

• Weekly 'Readings' to be completed in advance of tutorials
• Wider reading for assessment preparation (including tutorial participation) and general interest
• Periodic practical exercises for tutorials
• Approximately 5000 words in assessed written work

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial Participation

The degree and relevance of your participation will be evaluated by the tutor throughout the semester. You are welcome to ask your tutor for verbal feedback on your tutorial participation at any time.

Assessment Task 2

Mid-Term Take Home Examination

This examination assesses the command of knowledge presented during the lectures through weeks 1 to 6. This will consist in a series of short questions about the studied authors and concepts asking students to apply these concepts to specific situations. Exam will be held in Week 6, September 2nd, 2:00pm-3:30pm (90 min).

Please see below for rubric.

Assessment Task 3

Video Project

For the video project, students will be presented with the opportunity to creatively apply one of the theories studied from weeks 1 to 9, with reference to at least 2 concepts listed. In groups of two or three, they will have to make a 4 minutes video that should provide insight into an aspect of their everyday life, a contemporary social issue or a fictional narrative reflecting a relevant topic.

Even though creativity and innovation will be openly encouraged, please remember that the level of engagement of the concepts discussed in the course as well as the use of peer-reviewed academic sources is what is going to be assessed. In other words, you will be severely penalised if you do not incorporate appropriate academic theories and concepts, show any evidence of research and wide reading or properly cite ideas that are not your own.

We will discuss ideas in lectures and tutorials and I strongly encourage you to talk with me and your tutor about what you want to do. While the task may appear quite daunting at this stage, it will become much clearer as the course progresses when we explore the theories in depth and look at examples during tutorials and lectures. We will also be doing several feedback tasks during tutorials which will help guide you through the process and keep you on track.

The Week 9, 10 and 11 tutorials will be dedicated to orient students on this assignment.

The due date for Assessment 3 is: October 28; 2020

Please see below for rubric.

Assessment Task 4

Take Home Examination

Students will have to select one out of three proposed questions and write an essay to answer it. This question will consist in comparing the relevance of several theories studied in the understanding of a contemporary social issue. The final exam questions will be release during week 12 and have to be submitted by the first week of the exam period.

Please note, students are strongly advised NOT to book end of semester holidays or otherwise commit themselves over the ANU examination period. Missing the SOCY1004 examination will mean failing the course. 

Rubric

Criteria	High Distinction	Distinction	Credit	Pass	Fail
Grasp of subject matter	Comprehensive (relative to course content & resources) use & understanding of relevant sociological knowledge on topic	Clear understanding & use of relevant sociological knowledge on topic	Good use of relevant sociological knowledge on topic but significant gaps in coverage or understanding	Sociological knowledge on topic included but limited evidence of understanding	No use or understanding evident of sociological knowledge on topic
Theoretical & conceptual knowledge	Sophisticated use of sociological concepts & theories to inform approach to topic & interpretation of information	Sociological concepts & theories clearly & accurately used to inform approach to topic & interpretation of information	Use of sociological concepts & theories lacking consistency but contributing to sociological interpretation of information	Infrequent or inconsistent use of sociological concepts & theories	No reference to or use of sociological concepts & theories
Methodological application & use of supportive evidence	All arguments & conclusions supported with appropriate evidence. Demonstrates good understanding of methodological strengths & weaknesses of evidence	All arguments & conclusions supported with evidence but some need to develop greater understanding of methodological strengths & weaknesses of evidence	Most arguments & conclusions supported with evidence but need to develop greater understanding of methodological strengths & weaknesses of evidence	Some evidence used but insufficient or inadequate to support convincing arguments and conclusions	No, or inappropriate, evidence used to support arguments & conclusions
Critical evaluation of topic	Comprehensive & analytical approach to identification of assumptions behind data & arguments & assessment of their theoretical & methodological adequacy	Analytical focus that identifies assumptions behind most data & arguments & assesses their theoretical & methodological adequacy	Good examples of critical evaluation in assignment but lacking in theoretical & methodological consistency	Limited attempts to identify the assumptions behind data & arguments contributing to a largely descriptive assignment	No critical evaluation of underlying assumptions
Logical development & structure of argument	All points & sections within assignment logically structured & clearly related to assignment question, each other, & conclusions	Clear & logical structure to assignment & discussion of how major arguments fit together	Some attempt made to structure assignment in logical manner and to discuss how arguments fit together	Assignment a collection of points relevant to question but with little discussion of how they fit together or attempt to develop a logical structure	Assignment a collection of points with little obvious relation to question
Applicability of references & depth of reading	Comprehensive understanding & use of a significant number of references	Sound use & understanding of relevant points from a significant number of references	Information gleaned from a significant number of references, or comprehensive use made of a limited number of references	Information drawn from a limited number of relevant references	References irrelevant to topic and/or not clearly used to develop answer
Readability & grammar	Consistently accurate grammar & high clarity of expression	Consistently accurate grammar with few lapses in clarity of expression	Mostly accurate & clear grammar & expression	Somewhat accurate grammar & regular lapses in clarity of expression.	Frequent grammatical errors and/or lapses in clarity of expression
Correct referencing & documentation	Highly consistent & accurate referencing & documentation. All necessary in-text references	Highly consistent & accurate referencing & documentation. Most necessary in-text references	Mostly consistent & accurate referencing & documentation. Most necessary in-text references	Lack of consistency & accuracy. Some references omitted	Frequent omission of references & inconsistency in referencing style & other documentation

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students