Bachelor of Social Science

Social scientists strive to understand, analyse, describe and explain the human world and their position within it, just as scientists attempt to describe and comprehend the natural world. The Bachelor of Social Science is designed to help you make sense of our rapidly changing global culture.

Equally relevant to the professional world of work and the world of knowledge, the course will enable you to develop the skills needed to contribute to the social and cultural fabric of the community and to become truly global citizens. It will introduce you to a range of study areas in the humanities and social sciences. You will read, debate, examine and discuss issues, learning to carefully build arguments and propositions, to think independently and to develop new ways of approaching problems.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 7 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. critically review, analyse, evaluate and synthesise knowledge
2. critique arguments by displaying creative thinking in the social science disciplines, preceded by reviewing, consolidating, analysing and synthesising a body of knowledge
3. identify and argue current trends in the intellectual context of technological and social change
4. independently identify and solve problems en route to an attitude of life-long learning
5. present clearly, concisely and coherently the current interpretations and potential future developments in the issues underlying the context of and approaches to the disciplines you study
6. write an exposition reflecting a broad understanding of a body of knowledge and theoretical concepts with advanced understanding in some areas.

This is a comprehensive course, structured in three equal parts:

Part A. Social science specified study

This will expose you to several social science disciplines contributing breadth to your knowledge of the arts, humanities and social sciences. It will also give you the opportunity to learn about several areas of study before finalising your choice of major and minor.

Part B. Social science listed major

This will provide you with a focused program of study that will develop your expertise in one social science listed major area of study. You will learn to critically analyse, apply and communicate an advanced level of understanding of the concepts and theoretical frameworks that constitute the knowledge base of your major area of study.

Part C. Free elective study

This will enable you to further develop your knowledge of your chosen major, or of social sciences more broadly, through a second major or a minor or your own choice of units. Alternatively you can select units from across the University in which you are eligible to enrol.

Course requirements

This course comprises 144 points, over three parts A, B and C. Students complete a minimum of 96 points of social science listed study over Part A and Part B, and 48 points of free electives in Part C.

Elective units can be at any level unless otherwise specified. In choosing your units you must ensure that you complete no more than 10 level 1 units (60 points) for credit to this course, and that you complete at least eight units (48 points) at level 3 of which at least four (24 points) must be social sciences units.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-4086.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are six points unless otherwise specified.

Part A. Social science specified study (48 points)

Students complete:

a. one social science listed minor (24 points) in an area of study different to your social science major from Part B.

b. a first year social science sequence (12 points) in an area of study different to your social science minor or major. You may replace the minor with a second social science major by using elective units available in Part A or Part C.

c. an additional two social science units (12 points) at level 1, 2 or 3.

Part B. Social science listed major (48 points)

Students complete at least one social science listed major. A major requires eight units with no more than two units at level 1 (12 points) and at least three units (18 points) at level 3. You may replace the major with an extended major by using the elective units available in Part A or Part C.

Minors, majors and extended majors

Refer also to the table of minors, majors and extended majors by campusminors, majors and extended majors by campus (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/undergrad/arts-bss-minor-major-extended-major-hons.html) which also details if an area of study is available as a minor, major or extended major.

• African studies - South Africa
• Child and youth development - South Africa
• Communication and media studies - South Africa
• Criminology and criminal justice - South Africa
• Development studies - South Africa
• French studies - South Africa
• Geography and environmental science - South Africa
• International studies - South Africa
• Journalism studies - South Africa
• Philosophy and ethics - South Africa
• Political studies - South Africa
• Psychology - South Africa
• Public relations practice - South Africa
• Sociology - South Africa

If you intend to undertake an honours year you should ensure you complete the specific units required as a pre-requisite for honours in your major area of study.

Part C. Free elective study (48 points)

Elective units may be chosen from units available in the Bachelor of Social Science course including to extend your major or to complete a second major or minor(s) from the course. Note that at most two units may be counted towards two majors or a major and a minor.

Elective units may also be taken from non-social science disciplines to broaden your knowledge or to complete a major or minor(s) from another course as long as you have the prerequisites and there are no restrictions on enrolment in the units.

Elective units can be identified using the indexes of units at Monash South Africa by faculty in the current edition of the Handbook. The level of the unit is indicated by the first number in the unit code and undergraduate units are those that commence with the numbers 1-3. Note: Some non-social science units may require permission from the owning school. Students must be able to meet any unit prerequisites.

To be eligible to apply for entry into 4087 Bachelor of Social Science (Honours), students must have completed a major within their chosen honours area of study and obtained a distinction grade average (70 per cent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level 2 and 3, of which 24 points must be at level 3 in the major in which they wish to undertake honours. For some majors, completion of specific units or their equivalent is required for admission to honours. The details are provided with the requirements for each major to which this applies.