This course introduces students to the key facets of the sociological imagination: a distinctive way of thinking about self and society. We will explore the complex relationship that exists between the individual and the wider society in which they are embedded. We will look at how people experience social life very differently as a consequence of where they live and what identity they embody and choose (or are obliged) to present. This means observing how social factors like sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, health and socioeconomic status mediate the treatment people receive from institutions and organisations and operate to shape their everyday experiences.

We will contemplate how exposure to culture socialises individuals into adopting particular values, sentiments and belief systems, perceptions and understandings of the social world that inform the way people behave in various contexts. This focus invites us to think about the diverse forms of power that operate in society, in terms of who has privileged access to 'the truth' and to constructing and disseminating this knowledge, and who is marginalised or excluded from the process, and what factors account for this asymmetry.

 Overall, the course will provide a greater understanding of:

1. what sociology is (and does) and what makes it unique when compared to other disciplines like anthropology and psychology;

2. what types of questions sociologists ask, what research approaches they adopt and what kinds of social behaviour, events and problems they analyse;

3. how sociological knowledge impacts on society.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. develop and practice ways of making sense of everyday experience (ranging from abstract to familiar, from social structure to self and environment, including emotion, sensibility, body, stigma, othering);
2. identify and analyse a given culture’s understanding of what is real, true, just, necessary, or inevitable about the world;
3. articulate key theoretical perspectives on individual experience and identities in relation to social institutions such as family, economy, education and government amidst processes of decolonisation;
4. develop skills and capacities to appraise sociological research methods based on principles from the philosophy of the social sciences; and
5. communicate evidence-based arguments that connect theoretical insights to lived experiences.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This week we will discuss the course expectations as well as address fundamental concepts grounding the discipline of sociology. We will also address the importance of decolonizing the classroom and set expectations for how this class will achieve this goal.	NA
2	This week we will discuss The Social Construction of Reality as well as address the merits of anti-essentialist epistemology. We will also learn that theoretical jargon is far less complicated than it appears.	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
3	With week we will interrogate processes of categorization	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
4	This week we will learn about some of the ways in which sociologists address the issue of subjectivity, specifically as it regards self-identity.	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
5	This week we will discuss some of the specific ways in which self-identities are managed and negotiated. The lesson places emphasis on the dynamic relationship between identity and context.	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
6	This week students will synthesize and apply ideas from the first 5-weeks of the course	Work on Assessment Activity
7	This week will discuss how sociologists ascribe sociological significance to the body.	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
8	This week we will discuss the sociological significance of emotion, affect, sense and sensibility.	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
9	This week we will discuss stigma and social difference.	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
10	This week we will discuss the sociology of breaching studies and relate it to the global breach of COVID-19	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
11	This week we explore the concept of viral justice, applying your sociological imagination to initiate small acts of social change	Read required readings prior to the scheduled tutorial hour.
12	Synthesis and analysis of main ideas from the full course.	Work on Assessment activity.

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial registration via course Wattle page.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Precis and analysis exercise	15 %	1-5
Research essay	30 %	1-5
Seminar participation	15 %	1-5
Synthesis examination	40 %	1-5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

All students are encouraged to read course readings and participate in tutorial discussions. Accommodations will be made with appropriate exemptions.

Examination(s)

The synthesis examination (i.e., the final exam) will be administered via the course Wattle page.

Assessment Task 1

Precis and analysis exercise

750 words (15%) Learning Outcomes 1-5

Assessment Task 2

Research essay

2000 words (30%) Learning Outcomes 1-5

Assessment Task 3

Seminar participation

(15%) Learning Outcomes 1-5

Assessment Task 4

Synthesis examination

3 hours plus reading time of 15 minutes (40%) Learning Outcomes 1-5

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students