Undergraduate Courses
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Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar)

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar)

Abbreviation:

BSocSc(Dean'sSchol)

UOW Course Code:

346

CRICOS Code:

081324J

Total Credit Points:

144

Duration:

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Social Sciences

Intake Session(s):

Autumn

Delivery Mode:

On-campus

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 755320
Bateman’s Bay / 755322
Bega / 755323
Shoalhaven / 755321

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 well being.

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 then complemented by either (a) elective subjects or (b) a minor in another Social Science area or from any General Schedule Minor.

While all social science students will develop application skills, not all social scientists will lead and achieve social change. As high achieving students, Dean’s Scholar will be challenged to reflect on their leadership potential, portfolio of scholarly competencies, leadership and scholarship learning goals, and their role as future social scientists in a changing world where leadership is required. They will apply their insights to real world leadership and community case studies of social problems.

Dean's Scholar students will have the opportunity for casual employment in the Faculty of Social Sciences, community research, or projects supervised by leading practitioners or scholars for 15 hours per year. Other benefits include extended library privileges, invitations to attend School workshops and seminars and networking events. 

Entry Requirements

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

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Social Science (Dean’s Scholar) 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 major.
  3. Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with their major.
  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.
  9. Construct an evidence based approach to identifying and developing their leadership potential as a social scientist in a changing world.

 

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Social Science (Dean's Scholar) requires the successful completion of 144 credit points of subjects including:

a) 72 credit points from core subjects;

b) a Social Science major; and

c) either,

i) a social science minor, or minor from the General Schedule of Minors; and/or

ii) elective subjects. 

d) Students must maintain a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 80% in each year of enrolment, from and including Year 2, to remain enrolled in the Dean's Scholar program. 

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

Core subjects

All students must complete the following core subjects. In Year 1 Spring semester, HAS 220 can be deferred, and a pre-requisite subject for major or minor taken instead. In this case, HAS 220 should be taken in the second year. Students contemplating majors in Criminology (psychology pathway), Indigenous Studies or Social Marketing are strongly advised to complete the major prerequisite subject in Year 1. Students contemplating other majors should carefully look at the pre-requisites required for subjects to be taken in Years 2 and 3.

Subject Codesubject NameCredit PointsSession(s)
Year 1
Autumn
PSYC101Introduction to Behavioural Science6Autumn, Summer 2015/2016
GEOG121Human Geography I: Life in a Globalising World6Autumn
HAS 130Social Determinants of Health6Autumn
SOC 103Introduction to Sociology6Autumn
Spring
PSYC123Research Methods and Statistics6Spring
GEOG122Human Geography II: Living in a Material World6Spring
HAS 121Human Development in Social Context6Spring
HAS 220Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies6Spring
Year 2
Autumn
HAS 200Social Justice in a World of Inequality6Not offered in 2015
GEOG221Population Geography: a global perspective on people and place6Autumn
Spring
HAS 202Introduction to Social Policy6Not offered in 2015
HAS 233Leadership, Scholarship and Social Change6Not offered in 2015

Majors ( and Delivery Locations)

All students must complete one of the following majors: 

Some delivery locations offers only first and second year subjects, or a limited range of subject choices. Further information can be obtained by contacting the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Minors (and delivery locations)

A minor is not compulsory for students who enrolled in 2015, but is recommended if there is sufficient space with the selected major. Students may choose minors from this recommended list, or from the General Schedule of Minors

  • Criminology (Wollongong)
  • Community, Culture & Environment (Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Human Geography (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Indigenous Studies (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Public Health (Wollongong, Shoalhaven)
  • Social Marketing (Wollongong)
  • Social Policy (Wollongong, Shoalhaven)
  • Sociology (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
  • Work Health & Safety (Wollongong)

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 Subjects list. The following career readiness electives are recommended:

Subject Codesubject NameCredit PointsSession(s)
CRLP200Career Ready Learning & Practice6Autumn, Spring
CRLP201Career Ready Learning & Practice8Autumn, Spring
HAS 201Work Health & Safety6Spring
HAS 333Social Sciences Project8Spring

Honours

There is currently no Honours program for 2015.

The Faculty has proposed an Honours program that will commence in 2017.

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: 28 January, 2016