Master of Arts (Sociology)

The Master of Arts (Sociology) is a 36-unit program offered by the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. The course is normally completed in two semesters full-time or six semesters part-time.

It articulates with the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Sociology, and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the two awards.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
  
  

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold either hold the Graduate Diploma in Sociology or an approved honours degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.

Course aims

The aims of the Master of Arts (Sociology) are to:

• apply advanced sociological reasoning in understanding social life
• comprehend core and complex concepts and theories within sociology
• examine the changing relationships between individuals, groups and society
• highlight new social processes associated with social change, social
  inequality and social conflict
• analyse social evidence by selecting and utilising an appropriate research collection method
• follow ethical requirements in conducting social research
• identify the range of ways that sociological knowledge can be applied in vocational setting.
  

Learning outcomes

Following successful completion of a Master in Sociology students will be able to:

• identify how established and emergent structural factors shape the social world
• comprehend rapid social changes and the ways these are understood by competing sociological approaches
• appreciate recent societal developments relating to social class, ethnicity, gender, capitalism, nationalism and globalisation.
• explain how social problems emerge and the ways in which  power is resisted in contemporary society
• develop an original research project that involves selection and analysis of an appropriate case, canvassing a range of relevant literature and providing logical conclusions.
• understand professional ethical norms and debates about conducting social research and safeguarding human subjects from harm
• argue for the role of sociology and social research in addressing social problems.
  

Program of study

To qualify for the Master of Arts (Sociology), a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study below.

There are two Master of Arts (Sociology) course options:

• Option 1 - MA Sociology (Coursework Thesis)
• Option 2 - MA Sociology (Research Project)

Not all topics necessarily are available in a given year. 

Option 1 - MA Sociology (Coursework Thesis) 

Students must complete (a), (b) and (c)

(a)

Core - Option 1 - Coursework Thesis

 SOCI9001  MA Sociology Coursework Thesis (18 units) OR

 SOCI9001A  MA Sociology Coursework Thesis (9/18 units) AND
 SOCI9001B  MA Sociology Coursework Thesis (9/18 units) 

(b)

Core - Option 1 topics

 SOCI9006  Social Theory Today  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9010  Advanced Sociological Research Methods  (4.5 units)

(c)

Elective - Option 1 topics

9 units chosen from the following:

 SOCI9002  Shaping the Future: Social Change in the New Century  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9028  Graduate Reading Seminar in Sociology  (4.5 units)*
 SOCI9029  Contemporary Social Problems  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9030  Research and Professional Skills  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9031  Masterclass in Contemporary Sociology  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9032  Masterclass in Social Theory  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9033  Sociological Analysis: Competing Ways of Knowing  (4.5 units)

Option 2 - MA Sociology (Research Project)

Students must complete (a), (b) and (c)

(a)

Core - Option 2 - Research Project

 SOCI9101  MA Sociology Research Project  (9 units)

(b)

Core - Option 2 topics

 SOCI9006  Social Theory Today  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9010  Advanced Sociological Research Methods  (4.5 units)

(c)

Elective - Option 2 topics

18 units from the following:

 SOCI9002  Shaping the Future: Social Change in the New Century  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9028  Graduate Reading Seminar in Sociology  (4.5 units)*
 SOCI9029  Contemporary Social Problems  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9030  Research and Professional Skills  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9031  Masterclass in Contemporary Sociology  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9032  Masterclass in Social Theory  (4.5 units)
 SOCI9033  Sociological Analysis: Competing Ways of Knowing  (4.5 units)

In addition to the above topic choices a maximum of 9 units may be selected from the following advanced level topics:

Elective - Advanced level topics

 AMST7009  The State and Social Movements in Modern America  (4.5 units)
 EDUC9608  Globalisation: Issues and Challenges  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8712  Asian Regional Development GE  (4.5 units)
 INTR9062  Contemporary Issues in Gender and Development  (4.5 units)
 POAD9014  Public Policy  (4.5 units)
 TOUR8116  Essentials of Tourism  (4.5 units)
 WMST8005  Indigenous Women&##39;s Voices: Negotiating Differences  (4.5 units)
 WMST9010  Thinking Through The Body: Feminist Questions  (4.5 units)

*requires Postgraduate Convenor Approval