Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)

This is a prestigious program of coursework and research in social sciences and humanities for high achieving students who have completed a relevant undergraduate degree. You will undertake research methodology training and carry out an independent research project in your selected discipline, working closely with a supervisor who will provide you with individual guidance and academic counselling. The course offers a pathway to higher degree research in the social sciences.

Honours studies may be taken in the specialisations listed below as single honours (a single discipline over one year of full-time study), or combined honours (two disciplines over one year of full-time study).

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://monash.edu/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

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

1. construct a topical argument pertaining to a concept relevant to the field of study and display the ability to logically analyse and synthesise knowledge
2. critically debate the current understanding of theoretical concepts/frameworks, potentially leading to a new and greater understanding of said concepts/frameworks, theory and practice
3. develop and communicate a new understanding of the world as a set of related problem focused systems by exercising critical thinking and judgement
4. work and communicate with others as a member of a multi-disciplinary team when studying theoretical perspectives of the field of specialisation
5. design and conduct an independent research project in the specialised area of study, demonstrating a broad understanding of a body of knowledge with evidence of advanced understanding in some areas
6. develop and communicate to various audiences a clear and coherent case pertaining to a topic in the field of specialisation
7. contribute to knowledge in the specialised area by gathering, consolidating, interpreting and reviewing relevant data and revealing relationships between various concepts
8. independently apply theoretical knowledge of the specialised area to complex problems and suggest possible solutions.

This course consists of a combination of coursework and research. In the coursework component you will develop advanced theoretical and/or technical knowledge of your discipline within the social sciences and humanities and appropriate research methodologies. In the research component you will plan and execute a research project under the individual guidance of an academic supervisor.

This course comprises 48 points: Part A: Research (24 points) and Part B: Coursework (24 points) completed in one of the following honours research areas.

Available research areas

• Child and youth development - South Africa
• Communication and media studies - South Africa
• Criminology and criminal justice - South Africa
• Geography and environmental science - South Africa
• International studies - South Africa
• Journalism studies - South Africa
• Philosophy and ethics - South Africa
• Psychology - South Africa
• Sociology - South Africa

Combined honours

Combined honours may be undertaken, provided that all honours requirements have been met in both disciplines. Application to undertake combined honours must be made with the support of the school honours coordinators of both disciplines. Combined honours normally take the form of a joint dissertation (50 per cent in each discipline) alongside coursework chosen from the two component disciplines.

Satisfactory completion of this course may provide credit toward a Monash master's by coursework degree and will provide the preparation necessary to undertake a master's by research degree or a doctoral (PhD) degree.