MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Caution Copyright © Monash University 1996
ISBN 1320-6222

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

Sociology

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) (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

+ 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 1998)

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 Sociological theory and methodology (Peninsula)

+ SCY2261/3261 Social research methods (Caulfield) or

+ SCY3262 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 may be offered. Please check with the department.

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 1996.

Clayton campus

First-year level

+ SCY1010 Introduction to sociology I

+ SCY1020 Introduction to sociology II

Second-year level

Prerequisite: A first-year SCY sequence.

+ SCY2150 Sociological research techniques

+ SCY2210 Gender and sociology

+ SCY2230 Australian society: a developmental perspective

+ COS2110 Comparative social structures

+ COS2130 Culture and society: introduction to cultural theory (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

Third-year level

Prerequisite: Second-year COS and/or SCY subjects carrying a total of at least sixteen points.

SCY third-year options: Students enrol for SCY third-year options under the following classification:

First semester

+ SCY3000 Advanced sociology A.1

+ SCY3001 Advanced sociology A.2

+ SCY3002 Advanced sociology A.3

+ SCY3006 Advanced sociology C.1 (first semester)

For students from other courses, eg COS, ANY or environmental science.

First semester options

+ Alternatives to straight research (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

+ Data appreciation

+ The joy of `X': computer data processing and analysis using SPSS-X

+ Population and migration

+ Social psychology

+ Sociology of religion (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

+ The research process

+ Women and social control (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

+ Women, gender and society

Second semester

+ SCY3003 Advanced sociology B.1

+ SCY3004 Advanced sociology B.2

+ SCY3005 Advanced sociology B.3

+ SCY3007 Advanced sociology C.2 (second semester)

For students from other courses, eg COS, ANY or environmental science.

Second semester options

+ Political sociology

+ Sexed media, media-ted sex

+ Society and environment

+ Sociology of self (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

+ Sociology of the family

+ Women, psychiatry and madness

Fourth-year level

Prerequisite: A major sequence in sociology with credit-level (or better) work in twenty-four points of second and third-year sociology of which at least sixteen points must be at third-year level. Students will enrol in two one-semester seminar subjects from among those listed below (or others approved by the department). Under normal circumstances, all students will enrol in the core subject, SCY4540 (Theory and practice of sociology). All students will be allocated supervisors with whom they should consult regularly as they prepare a dissertation to be submitted by the end of October. The dissertation should not exceed 15,000 words. Normally the seminar grades will count for 40 per cent and the dissertation for 60 per cent of the final assessment.

The due date for the submission of final coursework and the thesis by students to the department is the last day of the final semester of the honours program (Friday 7 June in first semester 1996 and Friday 1 November in second semester 1996). Any request for an extension of time of more than one week must be submitted to the Committee for Undergraduate Studies no later than two weeks before the end of the final semester.

+ SCY4540 Theory and practice of sociology

+ SCY4560 Substantive issues in sociology

+ SCY4580 Thesis in sociology

+ SCY4620 Power, policy, patriarchy and the state (proposed to be offered next in 1997)

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