GSC3201

Structure and analysis in sociology

Marion Collis

8 points
* Equivalent to 3 hours per week
* First semester
* Gippsland and distance
* Prerequisites: Two second-level sociology subjects. It is highly recommended that students should have completed GSC1601 and GSC1602

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the development of sociological thought, from the classical works of the `founding fathers' to contemporary social theory, and have acquired an understanding of sociology as a social science, the interdependence between theory and method and the different research techniques sociologists use to collect empirical data.

Synopsis The subject will address the following issues: (a) a developmental and comparative analysis of the major sociological perspectives with a focus on structural perspectives; (b) the issue of fragmentation and synthesis within the sociological perspective; (c) the relationship between sociological theories and research strategies; (d) positivist techniques of data gathering and analysis.

Assessment Assignment one (1800 words): 30%
* Research report (2100 words): 35%
* Assignment two (2100 words): 35%

Prescribed texts

May T Social research: Issues, methods and process Open U P, 1993
Swingwood A A short history of sociological thought 2nd edn, Macmillan, 1991