Master of Social Change and Development - Research

The purpose of the program is to provide students with the opportunity to undertake research at an advanced level and to gain the knowledge and skills to understand the processes of social change and development. The Faculty’s teaching program complements the research programs in the Centre for Asia-Pacific Transformation Studies (CAPSTRANS) so that all courses are informed by the most recent high quality research. Students are offered the opportunity to study in a research and teaching faculty with extensive international networks staffed by some of the best scholars in their respective fields.

The Master of Social Change and Development – Research provides students with a new approach to comparative Asia-Pacific studies that transcends the limited focus of conventional development studies. Social transformation studies are innovative in terms of thinking and research and the Asia-Pacific region offers unique insights into social change triggered by national and international development policies and their effects at local, regional and transnational levels. Unlike traditional development studies courses that provide a largely econometric analysis of development, we focus on a critical sociology and critical political economy of social change.

All subjects are oriented to developing problem-solving skills grounded in specific processes within the general rubric of social transformation; increasing research and policy analysis skills through subjects in policy and program evaluation; and an emphasis on student-directed learning via the use of online learning. We prepare our graduates to work in a broad range of development-related areas.

The Master of Social Change and Development – Research can be a research-only degree, where the candidate holds an undergraduate degree with a substantial research component. Where the candidate has an undergraduate Pass degree, s/he degree will undertake 24 credit points of coursework in areas aimed at research training. The candidate must complete a substantial thesis (around 50,000 words).

Entry Requirements

There are two entry points for this degree:

1. From the Bachelor of Arts. Students entering the degree from the Bachelor of Arts (Pass) degree will complete a 72 credit point degree, consisting of 24 credit points of coursework chosen from CAPSTRANS subjects listed below, and subject to satisfactory completion of the coursework component, a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.
2. From the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or the Master of Arts by Coursework (or equivalent qualification). Students having a Bachelor of Arts with Honours Class II, division ii or higher, or a Master of Arts by Coursework (or equivalent) with an average of at least 70% may apply for admission into the Master of Social Change and Development - Research degree with Advanced Standing for the 24cp of coursework. They will then complete a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.

Course Requirements

Program Structure

1. Entry from the Bachelor of Arts (Pass degree) or equivalent: Students will complete one 48 credit point thesis in a field of study and 24 credit points of coursework to be chosen from the subjects listed below. Students who achieve 70% or higher in the coursework component of the degree will proceed to the thesis component of the degree. Students who achieve a Pass average in this subject will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the Master of Social change and Development by Coursework with 24 credit points of Advanced Standing. The thesis topic will be determined by discussion between the student and the Postgraduate Co-ordinator.
2. Entry from the BA (Honours) or equivalent: Students who have completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree with Class II division ii or higher, or appropriate research subjects in the coursework Masters degree may apply for Advanced Standing for the 24cp of coursework. They will then complete a 48 credit point thesis in a discipline or interdisciplinary area.

Time limits

Full time students should complete the 72 credit point degree in no fewer than two sessions (not including Summer Session) and not more than four sessions (not including Summer Session). Full-time students should complete the 48 credit point course in no fewer than two sessions (not including Summer Session and not more than four sessions (not including Summer Session). Part-time students normally complete half of the full-time load in the same period and take proportionately longer to complete the degree.

Each Research candidate has two supervisors. Before accepting a research candidate, the Faculty will ensure that two supervisors with appropriate expertise are available.

Coursework Subjects

Students entering from the BA (pass degree) must choose 24 credit points from the following:*

*The course co-ordinator may approve the substitution of other subjects.

Assessment

Coursework: Where students must complete the 24 credit point coursework component, assessment of that part of the degree will depend on the modules chosen, but it will normally be by essays and seminar papers.

Thesis: Students meet regularly with their supervisors to ensure that they are proceeding to plan. Each year, the student and supervisors must submit a progress report. The annual report is the means by which the University assesses whether the candidature will continue into the following year.

There will be a review of the proposal and research plan between the sixth and twelfth months of candidature.

When the thesis is submitted, it is examined by two examiners chosen by the supervisors in consultation with the student.

Students are advised to consult the University's Code of Practice - Supervision at the following web address: www.uow.edu.au/handbook/codesofprac/cop_supervision.html

Other Information

For further information about the Faculty’s research themes and researchers, please consult the Faculty website at: www.uow.edu.au/arts

For more technical information about the degree process, please consult the website of the University’s Office of Research at: www.uow.edu.au/research/rsc