Master of Social Change and Development - Research

Overview

The purpose of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake research at an advanced level and to gain the knowledge and skills to understand the processes of social change and development.   The Faculty’s teaching program complements the research programs in the Centre for Asia-Pacific Social Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) so that all courses are informed by the most recent high quality research.   Students are offered the opportunity to study in a research and teaching faculty with extensive international networks staffed by some of the best scholars in their respective fields.

The Master of Social Change and Development – Research provides students with a new approach to comparative Asia-Pacific studies that transcends the limited focus of conventional development studies.  Social transformation studies are innovative in terms of thinking and research, and the Asia-Pacific region offers unique insights into social change triggered by national and international development policies and their effects at local, regional and transnational levels.  Unlike traditional development studies courses that provide a largely econometric analysis of development, we focus on a critical sociology and critical political economy of social change.

All subjects are oriented to developing problem-solving skills grounded in specific processes within the general rubric of social transformation; increasing research and policy analysis skills through subjects in policy and program evaluation; and an emphasis on student-directed learning via the use of online learning.   We prepare our graduates to work in a broad range of development-related areas.
 

Entry Requirements

There are two entry points for this degree:

1. From the Bachelor of Arts.  Students entering the degree from the Bachelor of Arts (Pass) degree will complete a 72 credit point degree, consisting of 24 credit points of coursework chosen from CAPSTRANS subjects listed below, and subject to satisfactory completion of the coursework component, a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.
2. From the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or the Master of Arts by Coursework (or equivalent qualification).  Students having a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Class II, division ii or higher, or a Master of Arts by Coursework (or equivalent) with an average of at least 70% may apply for admission into the Master of Social Change and Development - Research degree with Advanced Standing for the 24 credit points of coursework.  They will then complete a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.

Course Requirements

Program Structure

1. Entry from the Bachelor of Arts (Pass degree) or equivalent:  Students will complete one 48 credit point thesis in a field of study and 24 credit points of coursework to be chosen from the subjects listed below. Students who achieve 70% or higher in the coursework component of the degree will proceed to the thesis component of the degree.  Students who achieve a Pass average in this subject will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the Master of Social change and Development by Coursework with 24 credit points of Advanced Standing.  The thesis topic will be determined by discussion between the student and the Postgraduate Co-ordinator.
   
   
2. Entry from the BA (Honours) or equivalent:  Students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree with Class II division ii or higher, or appropriate research subjects in the coursework Masters degree, may apply for Advanced Standing for the 24 credit points of coursework. They will then complete a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.

Time limits

Full time students should complete the 72 credit point degree in no fewer than two (2) sessions (not including Summer Session) and not more than four (4) sessions (not including Summer Session).  Full-time students should complete the 48 credit point course in no fewer than two (2) sessions (not including Summer Session and not more than four (4) sessions (not including Summer Session).  Part-time students should complete the course in no fewer than four (4) sessions and no more than eight (8) sessions.

Each Research candidate has two supervisors.  Before accepting a research candidate, the Faculty will ensure that two supervisors with appropriate expertise are available.

For further information about the Faculty’s research themes and researchers, please consult the Faculty website at: http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/

For more technical information about the degree process, please consult the website of the University’s Office of Research at: http://www.uow.edu.au/research/rsc/

Coursework Subjects

Students entering from the BA (pass degree) must choose 24 credit points from the following:*

*The course co-ordinator may approve the substitution of other subjects.

Assessment

Coursework:  Where students must complete the 24 credit point coursework component, assessment of that part of the degree will depend on the modules chosen, but it will normally be by essays and seminar papers.

Thesis:  Students meet regularly with their supervisors to ensure that they are proceeding to plan.   On commencement of the research component, candidates and their supervisors complete a Confirmation of Candidature Form that identifies key milestones, resource needs and skills required for completion of the research project.   This is followed by a First Year review within the first year of the thesis.    In addition, each year, the student and supervisors must submit a progress report.  The annual progress report is the means by which the University assesses whether the candidature will continue into the following year.   Supervisors who are concerned about a student’s progress may also initiate a progress review at other times during a student’s candidature.

When the thesis is submitted, it is examined by two examiners chosen from a list prepared by the supervisors in consultation with the student.

Students are advised to consult the University’s Code of Practice – Supervision at the following web address:  http://www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_supervision.html