166-080 Sociology 1A: Society and Self Identity

Note

Availability

Credit Points

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Sociology 1A aims at introducing Sociology to students who have never studied it before. It introduces key concepts and approaches. It introduces ways of gathering evidence, from learning to read published data and sociological observation and interviewing, to using the internet for Sociology. It introduces ways of linking together evidence and ideas, and introduces strategies to test and explore these links through fieldwork. The focus of the subject is exploring contemporary social change, from questions of identity and inequality, the family, contemporary social division, to the changing meanings of health, gender and sexuality, subcultures and globalised society. A recurring theme is examining the ways we socially constitute ourselves, exploring the link between society and self-identity. Sociology 1A is more than just learning about sociology - it is an introduction to doing sociology. For that reason, the subject is linked to an ongoing fieldwork project.

Assessment

A book review, and a fieldwork report, and a short essay and a class test totalling 4000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• Haralambos et al, Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. (Australian ed) Addison Wesley Longman 1996.
• K McDonald, Pressing Questions: Explorations in Sociology. Addison Wesley Longman 1997.