This course introduces students to the key facets of the sociological imagination: a distinctive way of thinking about self and society. We will explore the complex relationship that exists between the individual and the wider society in which they are embedded. We will look at how people experience social life very differently as a consequence of where they live and what identity they embody and choose (or are obliged) to present. This means observing how social factors like sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, health and socioeconomic status mediate the treatment people receive from institutions and organisations and operate to shape their everyday experiences.
We will contemplate how exposure to culture socialises individuals into adopting particular values, sentiments and belief systems, perceptions and understandings of the social world that inform the way people behave in various contexts. This focus invites us to think about the diverse forms of power that operate in society, in terms of who has privileged access to 'the truth' and to constructing and disseminating this knowledge, and who is marginalised or excluded from the process, and what factors account for this asymmetry.
Overall, the course will provide a greater understanding of:
1. what sociology is (and does) and what makes it unique when compared to other disciplines like anthropology and psychology;
2. what types of questions sociologists ask, what research approaches they adopt and what kinds of social behaviour, events and problems they analyse;
3. how sociological knowledge impacts on society.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- develop and practice ways of making sense of everyday experience (ranging from abstract to familiar, from social structure to self and environment, including emotion, sensibility, body, stigma, othering);
- identify and analyse a given culture’s understanding of what is real, true, just, necessary, or inevitable about the world;
- articulate key theoretical perspectives on individual experience and identities in relation to social institutions such as family, economy, education and government amidst processes of decolonisation;
- develop skills and capacities to appraise sociological research methods based on principles from the philosophy of the social sciences; and
- communicate evidence-based arguments that connect theoretical insights to lived experiences.
Indicative Assessment
- Precis and analysis exercise (750 words) (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Research essay (2000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Seminar participation (15) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Synthesis examination, 3 hours plus reading time of 15 minutes (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 35 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures, and 11 hours of student-led seminars; and
b) 95 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3960 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5100 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 20 Feb 2023 | 27 Feb 2023 | 31 Mar 2023 | 26 May 2023 | In Person | View |
