2017 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Social Science | 2017

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Social Science

Abbreviation:

BSocSc

UOW Course Code:

344

CRICOS Code:

081145A

Total Credit Points:

144

Duration:

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Social Sciences

Intake Session(s):

Autumn, Spring

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 755300
Shoalhaven / 755301

Additional Information:

Course Finder

Overview

Social Sciences helps transform the lives of individuals, families and communities by understanding, explaining, predicting and changing human behaviour and environments. To do this Social Science students engage in interdisciplinary study about human behaviour, including foundations in psychology, social policy, sociology, human geography, research methodology, social justice and social determinants of health and wellbeing.

Each student has the opportunity to build a unique study pathway. From a strong common foundation of compulsory core social science subjects in first year, students then choose and complete a specialised major, which is complemented by either a minor in either Social Sciences  or another speciality area from any field in the University offering cross-faculty enrolment.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Science will be able to:

  1. Integrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and social science practice.
  2. Consolidate and synthesise theoretical and practical knowledge of the dynamics of social systems and practices in different settings and apply this to their chosen speciality.
  3. Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with their speciality.
  4. Inquire into and address ongoing learning needs.
  5. Analyse unpredictable, complex problems, issues and situations; apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills; and form evidence-based judgements regarding possible solutions.
  6. Articulate ideas using a wide range of techniques effective with different audiences, including experts and non-experts.
  7. Work collaboratively with a range of people in different cultural, cross-cultural and regional contexts to best effect desired and desirable social change.
  8. Recognise the importance of ethical practice, social responsibility, social justice and civic awareness when acting to resolve conflicts, address problems and respond to social and environmental challenges. 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects including:

a) all core subjects; and

b) a Social Science major; and

c) a Social Science minor, or minor from the General Schedule of Minors; and

d) additional elective credit points to complete the degree, if required. 

No more than 60 credit points of 100 level subjects shall be completed. 

Core subjects

All students, except Education for Change majors*, complete the following core subjects.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Year 1
PSYC101 Introduction to Behavioural Science 6 Autumn, Summer 2017/2018
GEOG121 Human Geography: Life in a Globalising World 6 Autumn
HAS 220 Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies 6 Autumn
PSYC123 Research Methods and Statistics 6 Spring
GEOG122 Human Geography: Living in a Material World 6 Spring
HAS 121 Human Development in Social Context 6 Spring
And one or both of:**
SOC 103 Introduction to Sociology 6 Autumn
HAS 130 Social Determinants of Health 6 Autumn
Year 2
GEOG221 Population Geography: People, Place, Inequality 6 Autumn
HAS 202 Introduction to Social Policy 6 Spring
And one or both of:
HAS 200 Social Justice in a World of Inequality 6 Autumn
GEOG222 Society and Environment: Resources, Challenges, Futures 6 Spring

* Education for Change major is not available for commencement in 2017.

**PLEASE NOTE:

  • Students are advised to take SOC 103 if they are intending to complete a major or minor in Criminology or Sociology. 
  • Students are advised to take HAS 130 if they are intending to complete a major or minor in Health Promotion, Public Health or Social Marketing. 
  • Students in other majors should choose a subject according to their interests or planned minors.

Majors (and delivery locations)

All students must complete one of the following majors. In most cases you can leave your selection of major to Spring semester. If you intend to completing a major in Community Culture and Environment, Education for Change or Indigenous Studies you are advised to make this decision in Autumn semester of Year 1 and choose subjects accordingly. 

Shoalhaven may offer a limited range of choice in subjects in years two and three.

Minors (and delivery locations)

All students must complete a minor. Students may choose from this recommended list, or from the General Schedule of Minors.

Electives

Electives may be selected from any subject listed in the core, major and minor tables for the Bachelor of Social Science, or from the General Schedule

The following career readiness electives are recommended:

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
CRLP200 Career Ready Learning & Practice 6 Autumn, Spring
HAS 201 Work Health & Safety 6 Spring
HAS 347 Social Sciences Project 6 Spring

Recommended Social Science electives:

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
GEOG123 Indigenous Geographies: Questioning Country 6 Spring

Dean's Scholar

A Dean's Scholar program is available. For further information refer to the Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar)

Honours

An Honours program will be available from Spring 2017.  For further information refer to the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours).

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: ssc@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 18 January, 2017