Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Area of Study

The focus of sociology is the study of human society. 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 structure of society. Sociologists are also concerned with the analysis of policy, for example public health policy, and its impact on society and individuals. Sociologists have developed a range of research methods and techniques, and theoretical approaches, that can be applied to diverse issues and problems in social life. Coursework studies in sociology at Monash aim to provide the student with a broad range of relevant and widely applicable research skills and equip them for careers in social research, government, industry and the public service.

Research supervision is available in areas including:

• applied social research
• Australian society
• childhood and youth studies
• comparative sociology
• demography
• deviance
• economic sociology
• ethnicity and minority relations
• gender studies
• health
• homelessness
• mass media
• migration, urban affairs and social cohesion
• relationships, intimacy and sexualities
• religion
• research methods
• social implications of new technology
• sociology of family
• social policy
• social psychology
• social theory
• sociology of work.

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Research)

Offered by the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences

Students complete 48 points comprising the following units:

• ATS4677 Theory and practice in sociology
• ATS4805 HUMCASS honours dissertation part 1
• ATS4806 HUMCASS honours dissertation part 2
• ATS4807 HUMCASS selected topics in theory and practice

Course coordinator

Dr Vaughan Higgins

Offered by the School of Political and Social and Inquiry

Students complete 48 comprising the following units:

• APG4703 Research project

plus three additional units chosen from the following and selected in accordance with the student's research project:

• APG4681 Qualitative research strategies
• APG4683 Survey research
• APG4684 Analysing quantitative data
• APG4822 Feminist research

Course coordinator

Dr Kirsten McLean

Master of Arts by Research and Coursework

The entry below only details the coursework component of this degree. For all requirements including the research/thesis component refer to the full course entry at http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2011handbooks/courses/2846.html.

Offered by the School of Political and Social Inquiry

This course provides students who already have an honours degree in sociology or other related disciplines with the opportunity to expand, update and deepen their knowledge and understanding. Students may choose such a program for various reasons, including the desire to pursue their own intellectual interests, gain more specialised and detailed understanding of a particular area, acquire technical and applied skills and knowledge, or prepare themselves for a PhD and a career in research and teaching.

Units

Students complete 24 points at fifth year level from:

• APG5343 Religion in Australian society
• APG5681 Qualitative research strategies
• APG5683 Survey research
• APG5684 Analysing quantitative data
• SWM5140 Policy, program planning and evaluation I
• SWM5160 The child in society: Promoting children’s wellbeing and responding to child maltreatment

Alternative units may be taken with the approval of the course coordinator.

Course coordinator

Dr Jo Lindsay

Further courses

For a list of units studied or course outlines, refer to the relevant courses.

• 3937 Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Research)
• 2846 Master of Arts by research and coursework
• 2695 Master of Arts*
• 0020 Doctor of Philosophy*

* By research.