Social Science Research Seminar

Subject POLS40013 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

February, Parkville - 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

Intensive



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: February 20, 21, 22, 23, 2012. A 4-day intensive course of lectures and workshops during Orientation.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

Students completing an Honours, Postgraduate Diploma or Masters (CWT) thesis in the following areas of study must complete this subject:

Political Science

Politics and International Studies/Politics

Criminology

Sociology

Socio-Legal Studies

International Relations

Public Policy and Management

Students who commence the thesis in semester 2 will be required to complete POLS40013 in the February of the following year.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Semester 1, Semester 2
18.75
Recommended Background Knowledge:

Politics and International Studies, Criminology, Sociology, Socio-Legal Studies at Undergraduate level

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-558 Social Science Research Seminar

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Michael Crozier

Contact

Dr. Michael Crozier: mcrozier@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject is designed to develop research skills for students planning and writing research theses in the School of Social and Political Sciences. 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, including the management of ethics principles and procedures. 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).

Hurdle Requirement: As this is an Intensively-taught subject, Lecture/Seminar attendance is compulsory on all 4 days.Students who fail to meet this hurdle requirement will be deemed ineligible to submit the final piece of assessment for this subject.Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment that is submitted after the due date and up to 10 working days late without an approved extension will be marked on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment that is submitted later than 10 working days will not be accepted or marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.

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:

This is a compulsory subject for students enrolled in the following Honours programs: Political Science, International Studies, Public Policy and Management, Criminology, Sociology and Socio-Legal Studies, and the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Political Science), (International Politics), (Public Policy and Management), (Criminology), (Sociology) and (Socio-Legal Studies). This is also a compulsory co-requisite subject for students who are enrolled in the thesis component of the Master of International Relations, Master of Public Policy and Management or Master of Criminology.

This subject will run intensively from 20 - 23 February 2012.

Related Course(s): Master of Criminology (CWT)
Master of Public Policy and Management (Coursework)
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Public Policy and Management)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Criminology
Criminology
Criminology
International Politics
International Studies
Political Science
Political Science
Politics and International Studies
Public Policy and Management
Socio-Legal studies
Socio-legal Studies
Sociology
Sociology
Sociology

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