- 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
The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only.
Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.
Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.
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 |
Additional Information: |
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:
- Integrate knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and social science practice.
- 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.
- Inquire into the dynamics of particular social problems and practices using established social science protocols consistent with their speciality.
- Inquire into and address ongoing learning needs.
- Analyse unpredictable, complex problems, issues and situations; apply creative, logical and critical thinking skills; and form evidence-based judgements regarding possible solutions.
- Articulate ideas using a wide range of techniques effective with different audiences, including experts and non-experts.
- Work collaboratively with a range of people in different cultural, cross-cultural and regional contexts to best effect desired and desirable social change.
- 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, as determined by the intended major; 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 |
GEOG121 | Human Geography I: Life in a Globalising World | 6 | Autumn |
HAS 220 | Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
GEOG122 | Human Geography II: 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: A Global Perspective on People and Place | 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 | Environmental Impact of Societies | 6 | Spring |
*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.
Core subjects (Education for Change)
Students selecting the Education for Change major complete the core requirements from this table.
Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Core subjects | |||
Year 1 | |||
Autumn | |||
PSYC101 | Introduction to Behavioural Science | 6 | Autumn |
HAS 111 | Academic Skills for Social Sciences | 6 | Autumn |
Spring | |||
PSYC123 | Research Methods and Statistics | 6 | Spring |
HAS 220 | Becoming a Social Scientist: Interdisciplinary Competencies | 6 | Autumn, Spring |
HAS 121 | Human Development in Social Context | 6 | Spring |
GEOG123 | Indigenous Geography | 6 | Spring |
Year 2 | |||
HAS 200 | Social Justice in a World of Inequality | 6 | Autumn |
HAS 202 | Introduction to Social Policy | 6 | Spring |
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.
- Criminology (Wollongong)
- Community, Culture & Environment (Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
- Education for Change (Wollongong)
- Health Promotion (Wollongong, Shoalhaven)
- 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)
Some delivery locations may offer a limited range of choice in subjects in years two and three.
Minors (and delivery locations)
All students who first enrolled from 2016 must complete a minor. Students may choose 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 Education (Wollongong)
- Indigenous Studies (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
- International Studies
- Public Health (Wollongong, Shoalhaven)
- Psychology (Wollongong)
- Social Marketing (Wollongong)
- Social Policy (Wollongong, Shoalhaven)
- Sociology (Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, Bega)
- Work Health and 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.
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 | Autumn, Spring |
HAS 347 | Social Sciences Project | 6 | Spring First Offered 2017 |
Recommended Social Science electives:
Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | Session(s) |
---|---|---|---|
GEOG123 | Indigenous Geographies | 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 commence in 2018.
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