James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2024

SY3012 - Social Analysis of Contemporary Australian Issues

Offered each year.

Subject Description

This subject addresses contemporary Australian life through in-depth investigation of important social problems. It explores the structures and contexts through which Australian social life is organised and experienced. The subject will prepare students to communicate complex social problems to the public. In this subject, students will read and critique research into these social problems, including academic articles, reports and quantitative data sets. Students will develop a strong comprehension of a range of sociological topics while developing data literacy and an understanding of research design and analysis.

Learning Outcomes

• Translate scholarly knowledge to be accessible to a public audience
• Synthesise a body of literature for an in-depth understanding of a social issue
• Evaluate a social issue by examining quantitative data
• Create scholarly reports based on quantitative data and literature from research on a social issue

Subject Assessment

• Written > Annotated bibliography - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Briefing paper - (30%) - Individual
• Written > Research report - (40%) - Individual

Note that 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.

Assumed Knowledge:  To undertake this subject, students must have successfully completed 12 credit points (four subjects) of level 1 study at tertiary level

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:  SS2020 SS5101 SY2012 SY2050 SY3050

Availabilities