Bachelor of Social Science

You'll analyse contemporary social issues and challenges, and develop the skills, knowledge and capacity to make a real difference in the world with a Bachelor of Social Science from UNE.

With a focus on social justice and human rights, social change, gender equality, community welfare, sustainability and cultural diversity, choose from 11 social science majors in a flexible course structure, including opportunities for on-the-job training.

You'll develop vocational and scholarly skills, and learn how to conduct social research using a range of methods, techniques and technologies from world class social researchers.

Course Aims

The course aims to provide a thorough grounding in the social sciences through a combination of a core set of units stressing methodological, theoretical, policy and vocational skills aspects of the area and through a choice from a wide range of majors specialising in particular areas of the social sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: apply quantitative research techniques to real-world empirical data through statistical analysis and/or survey methodology and will judge the suitability of given methods to given applications; apply qualitative research techniques to real-world empirical data through a grounding in a range of qualitative methods and will judge the suitabiity of given methods to given applications; research and present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas concerning the social world from the points of view of both either the individual and/or the group; display the more specific skills characteristic of particular majors, such as the ability to analyse and demonstrate an understanding of Aboriginal, business, development, health, marketing, political, psychological, security and social issues; and apply advanced writing skills and communicate findings in an appropriate form to diverse audiences.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Graduates will possess a demonstrable knowledge of research methods common to a range of social science disciplines, and will be able to prove a clear in-depth knowledge of the theoretical, methodological and empirical content and appropriate practices of two discipline areas. This knowledge will be taught in lectures, unit materials and online activities and will be assessed throughout the degree through a range of different activities. Graduates will be made aware of the intrinsic global nature of most social science disciplines as they are taught that the more abstract thinking and methodological skills are portable across many countries and cultures and that the fundamental ideas and approaches of social science have emerged through contributions from many areas across the globe. Individual disciplines put different levels of stress on the balance between knowledge of local and trans-local social formations as appropriate to their concerns and graduates will be assessed partly on how they can demonstrate understanding of local and global specificities in the context of their work. Communication Skills Graduates are trained to communicate in workplace situations through units devoted to developing skills in writing and public presentation, and will be able to articulate complex theoretical arguments through specific training in units on thinking and theory. They will have high-level skills in communicating research results in the contexts of their specialised disciplines. These skills will be taught and practised in lectures, tutorials and online activities. Students will recognise the importance of continuing to develop their oral, visual, and written communication skills, and to be able to use appropriate communication technologies. Problem Solving Graduates will be taught how to apply logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of discipline-specific problems and how to choose the appropriate research method for the problem at hand. They will be able to conceptualise problems at a high level of abstraction through training in theoretical thinking. They will be assessed on their ability to understand assignment tasks and to integrate relevant theory and literature into their own analysis. Information Literacy Graduates will be taught how to recognise relevant information and to use appropriate media, tools and methodologies to locate, access and use information. Through assessment tasks, they will learn how to critically evaluate the sources, values and validity of information, and to use information in critical and creative thinking. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Graduates will be taught to be directly familiar with the ethical issues involved in research and will be able to apply reasoning on these issues in concrete situations they may encounter in their working lives. Attention to issues such as inequality and social justice are embedded in the concerns of a number of individual majors. Assessment tasks ensure that these skills are attained at a suitable level. Lifelong Learning The methodological and conceptualising skills graduates will possess particularly through training in the core units are highly transportable across space and time and may be ongoingly practised and perfected in work and personal situations long after graduates have left formal education. Assessment tasks ensure that these skills are attained at a suitable level. Independence and Collaboration The development of collaboration and group participation skills will be developed through on-campus and online interactive teaching. Graduates will learn the importance of participating in discussions in a professional, respectful and ethical manner.