SS1010 - Australian People: An Introduction to the Social Sciences

Credit points:	03
Year:	2011
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Arts & Social Sciences

This subject introduces students to the relevance and importance of the social sciences through an interdisciplinary analysis of Australian people. Topics explored include the ongoing significance of Australian Indigenous cultures, processes of settlement and colonisation, multiculturalism, and the diverse foundations of contemporary Australian identities. Themed lectures introduce key interdisciplinary areas in the social sciences; environment and heritage, governance and development, social and criminal justice, and tropical health and society. The subject prepares students for further study in the arts and social sciences and establishes foundations for productive careers in contemporary workplaces.

Learning Outcomes

• develop research and communication skills appropriate for positions in a diverse range of professional workplaces;
• understand key concepts in social science and their relevance to the understanding of contemporary Australia;
• engage with social science practices and approaches via the examination of Australian life stories and the location of the individual in a broader social context;
• analyse the significance of cultural diversity in Australia's past, present and future;
• develop awareness of Indigenous perspectives on key issues in Australian society.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning, and to learn independently in a self directed manner;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to work with people of different gender, age, ethnicity, culture, religion and political persuasion.

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coordinator:	Dr Anita Lundberg
Lecturers:	Professor Sue McGinty, Dr Anita Lundberg.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials
Assessment:	presentations (15%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%); centrally-administered final exam (25%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 24-Mar-2011
Coordinator:	Dr Michael Wood
Lecturers:	Dr Felecia Watkin, Dr Susan McIntyre-Tamwoy.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials
Assessment:	presentations (15%); tutorial attendance and participation (10%); essays (50%); centrally-administered final exam (25%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.