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 (Dean's Scholar) | 2020

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar)

Abbreviation:

BSocSc(Dean'sSchol)

UOW Course Code:

346

CRICOS Code:

081324J

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

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 755320

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 well being.

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 then complemented by a minor in either Social Sciences or another speciality area from any field in the University offering cross-faculty enrolment.

While all social science students will develop application of skills, not all social scientists will lead and achieve social change. As high achieving students, Dean's Scholars will be challenged to reflect on their leadership potential, portfolio of scholarly competencies, leadership and scholarship learning goals, and their role as future social scientists in a changing world where leadership is required. They will apply their insights to real world leadership and community case studies of social problems. 

Dean's Scholar students will have the opportunity for casual employment in the Faculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, community research, or projects supervised by leading practitioners or scholars for 15 hours per year. Other benefits include extended library privileges, invitations to attend School workshops and seminars and networking events.

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.
9 Construct an evidence based approach to identifying and developing their leadership potential as a social scientist in a changing world.

 Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects including: 

  1. all core subjects; and 
  2. a Social Science major; and
  3. a Social Science minor, or minor from the General Schedule of Minors; and
  4. additional elective credit points to complete the degree, if required.

Students must maintain a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 80 in each year of enrolment, from and including Year 2, to remain enrolled in the Dean's Scholar Program.

No more than 60 credit points of 100-level subjects shall be completed.

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)
Core subjects
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
HAS 233 Leadership, Scholarship and Social Change 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 (Delivery Locations)

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

Minors (and delivery locations)

All students must complete a minor. Students may choose from this recommended list, or from the General Schedule of Minors.

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 Elective Subjects list.

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.

Honours

Students who wish to complete an additional year at honours level may apply for entry to the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours).

Other Information

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

Last reviewed: 22 July, 2020