Objectives* Demonstrate an independent approach to knowledge that uses rigorous methods of inquiry and appropriate theories and methodologies that are applied with intellectual honesty and a respect for ethical values. * Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification and resolution of problems within complex changing social contexts. * Act as informed and critically discriminating participants within the community of scholars, as citizens and in the work force. * Communicate effectively. * Commit to continuous learning. * Be proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies, such as the computer and other information technology systems, for the acquisition, processing and interpretation of data.
Academic titleGraduate Certificate in Arts (Sociology)
Course descriptionSpecialisation Requirements:
* two compulsory subjects (25 points)
* two elective subjects with no more than 12.5 points at first year level (25 points)
Compulsory subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
191-004 Social Science Research Methods
This subject aims to provide 2nd year students with a critical appreciation of different ways of approaching, undertaking and assessing research in criminology, sociology and political science, and the humanities generally. It emphasises the importan... Semester 1 12.50
166-300 Contemporary Sociological Theory
The subject examines major approaches and debates within contemporary sociological theory, and the different research directions that emerge from these approaches. Beginning with an overview of the classical foundations of sociological theory, the su... Semester 1 12.50
Level 1 Elective subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
166-130 Understanding Society
This subject explores our contemporary society through sociological perspectives, which seek to understand the ways in which we are socially constructed through the complex processes of identity and social change. Students will be encouraged to devel... Semester 1 12.50
191-110 Law in Society
Law in Society introduces students to theories and concepts of law and practices of law in contemporary Australian society. It will also provide a foundation both for socio-legal studies subjects in later years and for later subjects in disciplines s... Semester 2 12.50
191-101 From Graffiti to Terrorism
This subject explores the motivations underpinning particular types of criminal behaviour. It begins with an overview of various definitions and ways of measuring crime and then looks at the causes of specific offences ranging through graffiti, to an... Semester 1 12.50
Level 2 Elective subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
166-216 Terrorism: Shifting Paradigms
This subject examines the various dimensions of ‘terrorism’ and its manifestations in various parts of the world. The various theoretical perspectives on terrorism are examined with particular reference to the historical, psyc... Semester 2 12.50
191-223 Order, Disorder, Crime, Deviance
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
166-209 Sociology of the Body
For sociologists, the human body is not just a physical/psychological entity, it is a key site of the social. This subject will critically examine ways of thinking sociologically about the body in society. By outlining an historical context, this sub... Semester 2 12.50
166-032 Sexual Politics
This subject introduces ideas developed in feminist theory about the social and political construction of areas of experience relating to the body, gender and sexuality. Issues analysed in the subject include transsexualism, reproduction, eating diso... Semester 1 12.50
166-277 Media, Politics and Society
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
121-017 Society and Environments
This subject aims to think critically and rigorously about the relationship between social and natural worlds. Its primary purpose is to question the idea that the environment exists outside of, and independent from, the realms of science, culture, p... Semester 1 12.50
136-074 Modernity Revolution to Social Movements
This subject is primarily concerned with the ideas about society that have anchored the disciplines of sociology and social theory in the 19th and 20th centuries. It critically assesses these ideas through an examination of the works of key social th... Semester 1 12.50
136-216 Science and Society
The central focus of this subject is the relationship between science and society in our contemporary world. Science and its products are integral to our every day lives providing benefits but also risks and ethical dilemas. Understanding the relatio... Semester 1 12.50
121-015 Development and the Third World
This subject is an introduction to a range of issues about development in the 'third world'. It will explore the basic concepts used in development literature in addition to the many ways that development is understood and applied. Concepts... Semester 2 12.50
121-060 Power, Ideology and Inequality
This subject offers a comparative perspective on the distribution of inequalities in human societies over time and in contemporary cultures. The aim of the subject is to investigate the varied manifestations of interactions between power, ideologies ... Semester 1 12.50
136-073 Critical Theories
The aim of this subject is to introduce students to and critically examine the major debates in contemporary critical theories from Western Marxism to postmodernism. These critical theories include the German Frankfurt School, French poststructuralis... Semester 2 12.50
121-210 Ethnic Nationalism and the Modern World
Ethnicity and nationalism are of special concern to anthropologists, especially in instances where anthropology becomes part of nationalist discourse. This subject considers ethnicity and nationalism through the in-depth analysis of a case study from... Semester 1 12.50
136-076 Social Theory and Political Analysis
This subject involves the study of theory and empirical research in social and political relations, culture and ideology, and human subjectivity and action. Students who complete this subject should possess an awareness of the ways in which social th... Semester 1 12.50
136-077 Psychoanalysis and Social Theory
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
191-211 Law, Justice and Social Change
Law, Justice and Social Change examines the ways in which law can be seen as both an instrument of positive social change and yet also as a means of confirming existing social arrangements and resisting social change. It considers what access to just... Semester 2 12.50
Level 3 Elective subjects
Subject Semester Credit Points
191-302 Criminology and Public Policy
Many criminology graduates find themselves researching, developing and applying crime policy in government, political and other contexts. This course helps prepare students for such work. As well as providing an overview of factors shaping policy in ... Semester 1 12.50
191-314 Crimes of the Powerful
This subject analyses the crimes and harms of the powerful. It explores the types of harm: financial, physical and environmental that are perpetrated by government corporations and individual white-collar offenders. Various case studies of government... Semester 2 12.50
672-382 Sociology Internship
In this subject a student, under academic supervision from the sociology program, undertakes a sociological research project in an organisation outside the university, such as a trade union, social movement, women's organisation, welfare service... Semester 2 25
166-391 Global Movements: Protest and the Planet
This subject explores ideologies and actions associated with contemporary social movements that operate on a global scale and have attracted international attention: indigenous, labour, green, animal rights, radical Islam, anti-trafficking, women&... Semester 2 12.50
191-301 Law in Social Theory
Law in Social Theory builds upon issues introduced in Law in Society, and Law, Justice and Social Change. It examines the theories of the function and role of law propounded by such writers as Durkheim, Marx, Weber, Habermas, Kennedy, Derrida and oth... Semester 2 12.50
110-311 Mass Media in Indonesia
This subject focuses on the transforming power of communicative technology in social history, with specific empirical reference to modern Indonesia. Students will closely examine the profound social transformation brought about by literacy and mass p... Semester 1 12.50
110-312 Popular Cultures in Indonesia
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
672-379 Quantitative Social Research
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
672-380 Sociology of Youth & Youth Policy
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
672-383 Love, Family and Sexuality
This subject will not be available in 2009 12.50
672-365 Change & Conflict in Australian Society
An introduction to the study of social movements and the general issues raised by the problem of social change and political conflict. How and why do political changes occur? If social movements did not exist, would societies need to invent them? The... Semester 1 12.50
672-385 Political Communication
This subject examines the role of communication systems in the constitution of contemporary political and social life. It pays particular attention to the new modes and means of political communication given the developments in information technologi... Semester 2 12.50