The focus of sociology (SCY subjects) teaching is on the study of industrial societies. It involves the investigation of human groups, communities, institutions and organisations, and the networks of meaning and association which link individuals and groups to the broader social structures of such societies. The wide range of subjects available is designed to provide opportunities to explore broad theoretical and methodological issues, to acquire research skills, and to develop an understanding of the institutions and processes of industrial society. Emphasis is placed on the research process (the careful description of human social order, the development of theories and research strategies designed to test and apply theories) as the means by which sociology as a discipline advances. Many of the substantive subjects give students an understanding of Australian society in its comparative context.
The introductory year sets the pattern for later years. It attempts to illustrate some of the perspectives and methods of the discipline by examining their relevance to some of the more important substantive areas of society, including the study of social inequality, gender, the family, deviance, power and the state. The second year seeks to deepen this approach. Theories and methods are examined in greater detail. In the third year a wide range of options covering theory, methods and a variety of substantive areas are offered from which students may choose.
An honours year is available in sociology and the department also offers coursework masters programs in a variety of specialised areas, as well as postgraduate research degrees.
Pass courses
Minor and major sequences in sociology are offered on all Monash campuses. While there is some variation in the nature and content of subjects offered, the essential structure of the program, the intellectual orientation and the skills acquired are the same on each campus.
First-year sequence
A first year sequence consists of twelve points of first-year sociology subjects. They will be labelled SCY1XXX.
Minor sequence
A minor sequence in sociology normally consists of a first-year sequence in sociology and a minimum of sixteen points of second level sociology subjects. Second-level sociology subjects will be labelled SCY2XXX. It is possible to take eight points of some comparative sociology second-year subjects (labelled COS2XXX) as part of a sociology minor sequence.
Major sequence
A major sequence in sociology consists of a first-year sequence in sociology followed by at least forty points of SCY subjects at second and third-year levels, at least sixteen points of which must be at third-year level. A total of sixteen points of comparative sociology subjects may be taken as part of a sociology major. Students must meet the theory and research methods requirements of a sociology major by selecting at least one subject from each of lists A and B below to be taken as part of either their second or third-year program.
List A: Theory options
* SCY2210 Gender and sociology (Clayton)(8 points)
* COS2130 Culture and society (Clayton) (8 points)
* SCY2101/3101 Sociological theory and methodology (Caulfield) (8 points)
* SCY2102/3102 Sociological theory and methodology (Peninsula) (8 points)
* COS3470 Structuralisms and poststructuralisms (Clayton) (8 points) (proposed to be offered next in 1996)
List B: Methods options
* SCY2150 Sociological research techniques (Clayton) (8 points)
* SCY3000 Data appreciation (Clayton) (8 points)
* SCY3000 The research process (Clayton) (8 points)
* SCY3000 The joy of `X': computer data processing and analysis using SPSS-X (Clayton) (8 points)
* SCY2261/3261 Social research methods (Caulfield) (8 points)
* SCY2262/3262 Social research methods (Peninsula) (8 points)
All second and third-year subjects are eight-point subjects. Students can take options on any of the campuses.
Clayton campus
On the Clayton campus for a major sequence students take at least two second-year subjects and a minimum of two third-year subjects with one additional subject at either second or third-year level. Students taking three subjects at third-year level may take their subjects in either first or second semester or both. Students also may increase their points by taking extra options in first or second semester. Students may, with the permission of the third-year coordinator, take one of the two options required for a major from the cross-listed COS third-year subjects.
Caulfield/Peninsula
On the Caulfield and Peninsula campuses all second and third-year subjects are worth eight points. A major requires that a student take a minimum of five subjects following the completion of the first-year sequence. At least two of the five subjects must be at third-year level, that is have a SCY3XXX subject code.
BA(SocSc)
For students enrolled in the BA(SocSc) (course code 0418) from 1989 to 1991, a minor in sociology requires a minimum of two second or third-year SCY subjects, a major involves completion of a minimum of six second and third-year subjects including the three compulsory subjects. The following subjects (or their equivalents) are compulsory:
* SCY2101/3101 Sociological theory and methodology (Caulfield) or
* SCY2102/3102 Sociological theory and methodology (Peninsula)
* SCY2261/3261 Social research methods (Caulfield) or
* SCY2262/3262 Social research methods (Peninsula)
* SCY 3601 Sociology of research practicum (Caulfield) or
* SCY3602 Sociology of research practicum (Peninsula)
Students enrolled in the BA(SocSc) prior to 1989 should contact the department secretary at Caulfield or Peninsula for further information.
Honours
Coordinator: P Hiller
At this time honours subjects are taught only at the Clayton campus. However, supervision for honours research dissertations is available on each campus.
Students enrol for honours after having completed a major and must have reached credit level in subjects to the value of twenty-four points at second and third-year level combined of which sixteen points must be at third-year level. Although no second or third-year subjects are prerequisites for honours, prospective honours students may be advised to take additional subjects in second and/or third-year, and certain subjects may be particularly recommended by the department.
Details of the fourth year of the course are set out under `Fourth-year level.'
Mid-year entry is offered in sociology.
Combined honours may be taken in sociology and another discipline provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines and subject to the approval of the heads of both departments/centres.
Graduate studies
For postgraduate courses offered by the department please refer to the Arts graduate handbook for 1995.