SOCI 2009 - Social Theory in Action
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code SOCI 2009 Course Social Theory in Action Coordinating Unit Sociology, Criminology and Gender Studies Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites At least 12 units of Level I undergraduate study Incompatible GSSA 2020 Assessment Essay x 2, Group Assignment, Take home exam. Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Nathan Manning
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1 Understand social theory, critical reading and analytical writing 2 Be able to locate, access and evaluate a range of resources available to support critical research and writing 3 Apply social theory to critical discussions relating to society on a local and global scale 4 Be able to confidently engage with social theory in the real world 5 Demonstrate a critical approach to ethical issues in the context of public discourses about contemporary issues and debates 6 Be able to prepare and deliver coherent and logically argued written texts University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,3,4,5 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,2,6 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4,5,6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
2 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4,5 Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.
. Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
. Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Readings can be accessed electronically through MyUni.Recommended Resources
Other Useful Books and Resources:
Anderson, N. & Schlunke, K. (2008) Cultural theory in Everyday Practice Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Best, S. (2003) A Beginner’s Guide to Social Theory, London: Sage
Connell, R. (2007) Southern Theory: The Global Dynamics of Knowledge in Social Science. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.
Germov, J & Poole, M. (2007). eds.Public sociology: An introduction to Australian society. Allen & Unwin.
Jones P, Bradbury L and S Boutillier (2011) Introducing Social Theory (2nd Ed). Cambridge: Polity
Inglis D (2012) An Invitation to Social Theory Cambridge: Polity.
Seidman, S. (2008) Contested Knowledge: Social Theory Today Fourth Edition Oxford: Blackwell.
Sim S,Van Loon S & D Cryan (2009) Introducing Critical Theory : A Graphic Guide London: Icon Books. Avaialble on-line:
Elliot, A. (2009) Contemporary Social Theory: An Introduction. London: Routledge.
Turner, B. (2000) The New Blackwell Companion to Social Theory. Oxford: Wiley: Blackwell.
Crotty,M. (2003) The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process. St Leonards, NSW : Allen & Unwin [available as e-link via the BSL]
Harrington, A. (2005) Modern Social Theory: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.Online Learning
Lecture podcasts, handouts, essay questions, links and updates about contemporary issues and further reading will be posted to the MyUni course site available via the MyUni link on University Web page at www.adelaide.edu.au. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is designed to develop a student-centred approach to the learning environment and create a critical thinking ethos. You will see this style of learning in the presentation of material, the ways in which you are asked to read and engage with spaces, and most importantly, your own engagement with the development of your assignments. This may sound overwhelming at first, as it is quite different to being given set essay questions. We have three field trips in this course which will create opportunities for you to connect with and make sense of your learning. Your fieldwork experiences work as the basis for developing understandings of conceptual and theoretical issues, and you will develop these into theoretical essays. We provide guidance with how to plan and structure your assignments, but the content and application of theory is in your hands. We believe that this personal integration of knowledge and its connection with broader social theory frameworks allows you to drive the analysis, and is at the heart of the best assessment practices.
Working collaboratively is also an important part of this course and it is expected that you will have read and taken notes on the set texts, and prepared for weekly tasks. We have in-class exercises that will help you understand the readings, and provide spaces and opportunities for you to discuss ideas, raise questions and learn from each other.
As social theory can sometimes seem ‘abstract’ we will also have the familiar lectures and seminars to facilitate your learning. Lectures will introduce new theoretical ideas in historical and contemporary contexts, highlighting the uses and relevance of social theory to contemporary issues of understanding social structures, relations and praxis. We will emphasize critical dialogue, problem-posing and the sociological imagination.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
1 x 3-hour seminar (or equivalent) per week 36 hours per semester 3 x 3-hour fieldwork excursions 9 hours per semester 5 hours reading per week 60 hours per semester 2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester 2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester 1 x 3-hour take home paper 3 hours per semester TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Schedule 1 Introduction to the course 2 Agency and structure in sociological theory 3 Gender & patriarchy 4 Field trip 5 Theorising consumption and cosmopolitan desire Field trip 6 Field trip 7 Disciplinary society – Foucault meets Jamie Oliver 8 Surveillance capitalism and everyday resistance 9 Risk, reflexive modernisation and personal life 10 Group presentations - mini conference 11 Preparing for take-home paper -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Small group activities and presentation Formative and Summative 25% 1-7 2 x 1000 word fieldwork assignments Formative and Summative 40% 1-7 1500 word take home paper Formative and Summative 35% 1-7
Assessment Related Requirements
All students are required to complete all assessment tasks to be eligible to pass this course.Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
Your assignments in this course must be submitted ONLINE via the relevant MyUni course site (under the Assignment tab).Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
For the previous cohort of students, 100% were overall satisfied with the quality of this course. 100% of studets also agreed that the course was intellectually stimulating and 96% felt diverse perspectives were valued and difference was accommodated. Students particularly liked the cutting edge content and the breadth of material covered. The application of ideas in the field trips was also appreciated. Some students enjoyed the 3 hour lecture/seminar/workshop design of this course, while others noted it was taxing. In the future, further efforts will be made to break up lecture content with other interactive activities. -
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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