Bachelor of Social Science (Child and Community)

This subject focuses on the local experiences of cultural and socio-economic difference. This includes applied social science approaches to inequality, diversity, community, sense of place, and environmental sustainability in the urban setting. There is an emphasis on spatial literacy for social scientists (fieldwork, mapping, data analysis and place description).

Humanistic, biological, cognitive, behavioural and sociocultural: The Individual in Society introduces the main theoretical perspectives for understanding individual behaviour. The subject then progresses to social psychology and explores self and identity, attitudes and attitude change, conformity and obedience. It also explores prejudice and discrimination, aggression, pro-social behaviour and attraction and close relationships.

The aim of this subject is to introduce students to key theories and concepts for understanding social action, social policy, social institutions, social structure and social change. Developing skills in critical reading and sociological analysis, students will interpret and analyse subject content to acquire an understanding of contemporary societies.

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies introduces students to the methods and principles of community participation, capacity-building, community needs assessment, and resilience. Students will explore scholarly ideas and debates that provide insight into working with communities and acquire an understanding of how these are applied in a range of professional settings. Students will identify and analyse global, local, government and organisational aspects and interests in the development of their own and wider communities.

This subject introduces students to the nature of western ethics and moral discourses, ethical methodology and the possibilities and limits of ethical discourse and practice. It covers the history of the formalisation of ethics, as well as its current philosophical and sociological dimensions. Students will be invited to reflect on moral discourses, and on the use of ethics for social justice and fairness.

Investigating and Communicating Social Problems addresses research practices in the social sciences. Students will gain an understanding of the research process, its epistemological and theoretical underpinnings, ethical questions in social research, research design and methodology. Students will also gain an understanding of methods of data collection and data analysis and reading and interpreting research and its impacts.

Building on the Social Research Methods subject, students will continue their education in social research. Students will gain experience in using tools and techniques for the collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data using real world examples. Students will learn to gather primary data through surveys and interviews, then support their findings with secondary data.

This subject will provide social science students with an opportunity to improve their career readiness. Using a combination of practical and theoretical framework, this subject will teach students how to translate their social science knowledge to a professional setting. Students will also engage with contemporary social issues such as diversity, work and employment, and sustainability.