2020 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Social Science | 2020

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Social Science

Abbreviation:

BSocSc

UOW Course Code:

344

CRICOS Code:

081145A*

Total Credit Points:

144

Duration:

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Intake Session(s):

Autumn, Spring*

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 755300, 755305
Shoalhaven* / 755301

* Not applicable for Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education)

Overview

Social Sciences helps transform the lives of individuals, families and communities by understanding, explaining, predicting and changing human behaviour and environments. To do this Social Science students engage in interdisciplinary study about human behaviour, including foundations in psychology, social policy, sociology, human geography, research methodology, social justice and social determinants of health and wellbeing.

Each student has the opportunity to build a unique study pathway. From a strong common foundation of compulsory core social science subjects in first year, students then choose and complete a specialised major, which is complemented by either a minor in either Social Sciences  or another specialty area from any field in the University offering cross-faculty enrolment.

Entry Requirements and Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:

CLO Description
1 Integrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and social science practice.
2 Consolidate and synthesise theoretical and practical knowledge of the dynamics of social systems and practices in different settings and apply this to their chosen speciality.
3 Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with their speciality.
4 Inquire into and address ongoing learning needs.
5 Analyse unpredictable, complex problems, issues and situations; apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills; and form evidence-based judgements regarding possible solutions.
6 Articulate ideas using a wide range of techniques effective with different audiences, including experts and non-experts.
7 Work collaboratively with a range of people in different cultural, cross-cultural and regional contexts to best effect desired and desirable social change.
8 Recognise the importance of ethical practice, social responsibility, social justice and civic awareness when acting to resolve conflicts, address problems and respond to social and environmental challenges.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects including:

  1. all core subjects;
  2. a Social Science major;
  3. at least one of either:
    - a Social Science minor, or
    - minor from the General Schedule of Minors, or
    - students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q344) must complete the Foundations in Teaching minor;
  1. additional elective credit points to complete the degree, if required; and
  2.  no more than 60 credit points of 100 level subjects shall be completed. 

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q344) are required to maintain a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 in each year of enrolment to qualify for admission to the Master of Teaching (Primary).

As per the Coursework Rules, no more than one subject may be cross counted towards a minor, major or core degree requirement.

Core subjects

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
PSYC101 Introduction to Behavioural Science 6 Autumn, Summer 2020/2021
GEOG121 Life in a Globalising World 6 Autumn
HAS 220 Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies 6 Autumn
PSYC123 Research Methods and Statistics 6 Spring
GEOG122 Living in a Material World 6 Spring
HAS 121 Human Development in Social Context 6 Spring
And one or both of:**
SOC 103 Introduction to Sociology 6 Autumn
HAS 130  Social Determinants of Health 6 Autumn
Year 2
GEOG221 Population Geography: People, Place, Inequality 6 Autumn
HAS 202 ^ Introduction to Social Policy 6 Spring
And one or both of:
HAS 200 Social Justice in a World of Inequality 6 Autumn
GEOG222 Society and Environment: Resources, Challenges, Futures 6 Spring

**PLEASE NOTE:

  • Students are advised to take SOC 103 if they are intending to complete a major or minor in Criminology, Social Policy or Sociology. 
  • Students are advised to take HAS 130 if they are intending to complete a major or minor in Public Health. 
  • Students completing the Social Policy major or minor are advised to take HAS 202 in their first year of study.
  • Students in other majors should choose a subject according to their interests or planned minors.

^ Students completing the Social Policy major or minor are advised to take HAS 202 in their first year of study.

Majors (and delivery locations)

All students must complete one of the following majors. The major should be selected at enrolment.

Shoalhaven may offer a limited range of choice in subjects in years two and three.

Minors (and delivery locations)

All students must complete a minor. Students may choose from this recommended list, or from the General Schedule of Minors.  Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q344) must complete the Foundations in Teaching minor.

Electives

Electives may be selected from any subject listed in the core, major and minor tables for the Bachelor of Social Science, or from the General Schedule

The following career readiness electives are recommended:

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
CRLP200 Career Ready Learning & Practice 6 Autumn, Spring, Summer 2020/2021
HAS 201 Work Health & Safety 6 Spring
HAS 347 Social Sciences Project 6 Spring

Recommended Social Science electives:

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
GEOG123 Indigenous Geographies: Questioning Country 6 Spring

For information regarding timetables, tutorials, and classes please the visit the Timetables and Classes page.

Pathway to Primary Education

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q344) will be given preferential admission to the Master of Teaching (Primary) up to two years after completion of their degree, provided they achieve a WAM of at least 65. The three postgraduate subjects completed in the Foundations in Teaching minor (18 credit points) will be credited towards the Master of Teaching (Primary) degree, thereby reducing the study load in that degree.  In the event that quotas restrict places in the postgraduate degree, including access to Commonwealth Supported Places, priority will be based on academic merit (WAM).

Students who achieve a course weighted average mark below 65 will be considered for entry to the postgraduate degree on the same basis as applicants from other courses.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Course instance code 344) who wish to take the Pathway to Primary Education (Course instance code Q344) can request a course transfer prior to commencing 300-level subjects.
 

Foundations in Teaching Minor

The Foundations in Teaching minor is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Science (Pathway to Primary Education) (Course instance code Q344). The 900-level subjects may only be completed in the final year the degree and require a WAM of at least 65 for enrolment. Please use the Subject Addition Form to request enrolment in 900-level subjects.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
EDSO101 Education and Society 6 Spring
Year 3
EDMT906 Aboriginal Education 6 Autumn
EDMT907 Teachers and Community 6 Autumn
EDMT905 Inclusive Education in Schools 6 Spring

Dean's Scholar

A Dean's Scholar program is available for high achieving students. For further information refer to the Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar)

Honours

Students who have achieved a high level of academic performance in the three-year Bachelor of Social Science degree, may apply to complete an additional year at honours level.  For further information refer to the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours).

Other Information

For further information please email: askuow@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 22 July, 2020