Social Science Research Seminar

Subject 166-558 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

4 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

February, - Taught on campus.

Pre-teaching Period Start	not applicable
Teaching Period	not applicable
Assessment Period End	not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol	not applicable
Census Date	not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail	not applicable

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.

Time Commitment:

Contact Hours: February 23, 24, 25, 26. A 4-day intensive course of lectures and workshops during Orientation.
Total Time Commitment: 24 contact hours/week Total of 8.5 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in political science, international studies (hons) / politics (pgdip), public policy and management, criminology, sociology or socio-legal studies, or the thesis component of the Master of Criminology or Master of Social Policy (100-point programs).

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

 CoordinatorDr Julie Evans, Dr Michael Crozier ContactDr. Michael Crozier & Dr. Julie Evans 
mcrozier@unimelb.edu.au / juevans@unimelb.edu.au 

Subject Overview:	This subject is designed to develop research skills for students planning and writing research theses in the School of Political Science, Criminology and Sociology. The subject explores contemporary research strategies, differing methodological approaches to social research, the relationship of theory and research, and practical issues concerned with designing thesis topics and their realization through the research process. The subject gives special attention to the design of problem–driven research. It will assist students to develop skills in thesis preparation and development as well as in the framing of research projects, more generally.The subject is taught through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars.
Objectives:	Have an understanding of the theoretical, methodological, resource and ethical considerations of relevance in designing a social science research project; Have an appreciation of the role of theory in the framing of social research; Have a sense of the need to identify appropriate research strategies when undertaking research; Have an awareness of the analytical and organizational skills required in social science research; Have completed a fully developed research proposal for their thesis.
Assessment:	A research proposal study of 5000 words, worth 100% (due mid-Semester 1).
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available.
Breadth Options:	This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry; be able to develop persuasive arguments on a given topic; be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.
Notes:	Formerly available as 166-410 and 166-558. Student who have completed 166-410, 166-558 or 191-530 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This is a compulsory subject for students enrolled in Honours or the Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science, International Studies (Hons)/Politics (Pgdip), Public Policy and Management, Criminology and Socio-Legal Studies, and for students who are enrolledin the thesis component of the Master of Criminology or the Master of Social Policy. It is available as an elective subject for students enrolled in Sociology Honours/Postgraduate Diploma.
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Public Policy and Management(Honours) Master of Criminology (CWT)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Criminology Criminology International Politics International Studies Political Science Political Science Public Policy and Management Socio-Legal studies Socio-legal Studies Sociology Sociology

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