Course profile

Inequality, Society and the Self (SOCY1070)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Social Science School

This is an issues-based course where students apply their developing sociology skills to real world problems and injustices such as gender discrimination, racism, and income inequality, in Australia and globally. The course content will be dynamic, using current debates and issues as the basis for learning. The assessment will be tailored to address the interests of students. Learning will take place in a blended learning environment with a mixture of lectures, online material, and in-class seminar engagement. The course utilises a collaborative environment that invites students to apply their sociological imaginations to think about how power, social structure, and identity work to create and to resist social inequalities.

Acknowledgements:

I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this university now stands. We give our respect to the elders of all our indigenous people including those who live in this city, now separated from their lands through a colonial history of state-sponsored and interpersonal ignorance and violence.

Course requirements

Assumed background

This is a first-year course. No background for this course is assumed.
Please be aware that this is oriented towards first-year students at an introductory level. If you take this course later in your program (e.g. in Yearﾠ3 or 4)ﾠyou may find the course lacks sufficient challenge.ﾠ

Course contact

Course coordinator

Dr Lynda Shevellar

Your tutor will advise their consultation availability.

Please note that I do not have set drop-in hours, but prefer to negotiate a mutually convenient consultation time to work with both our timetables. You can set up a solo time or meet me as a group if you would prefer. To set up a time please send me an email with "SOCY1070 Consultation" in the subject line.

If the matter is urgent you will find the Blackboard Discussion Board an excellent way to receive fast responses to the majority of your queries. Not only will I - or your tutor - attend to your concerns quickly, but other students will also have an opportunity to respond, to clarify issues of concern and to learn from your inquiry. Please make sure you subscribe to the Discussion Board.

School enquiries

Student Enquiries School of Social Science
(07) 3365 3236

Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.

Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

The course is structured into three broad sections:

  1.  The first section, running across the first four weeks of the semester, aims to develop a sociological approach to inequality to identify what it is, what its impacts are, and why it matters. Students will be invited to think about their relationship to inequality and issues of privilege and intersectionality. 
  2. The second section, running weeks 5-8, looks at whether social change is possible and the role of social science in creating change. 
  3. In weeks 9-13, the third section examines different strategies for creating social change and identifies the knowledge and skills required to engage in this important work.  

The three pieces of assessment correlate with these sections.

As you will see from your timetable, learning in this course occurs through three lectures across the semester, which introduce our three course sections. Between these lectures, you will have weekly seminars, accompanied by an online learning module to complete before the seminar. Please check your timetable carefully to ensure you know what you are doing and where you must be each week. Attendance is vital, to ensure you get the most out of the learning opportunities provided, as class activities WILL feed into assessment items.

Please note that this course starts with a lecture in Week 1. Consult the official UQ timetable for class dates and times. Classes will start promptly to make the most of our limited time together. Please make sure you locate the building and class before the class to ensure you do not miss important information.

If you are unable to attend a classﾠplease check Blackboard and liaise with other students to obtain the relevant information. Due to the class size and other teaching responsibilities, I am unable to respond to individual requests for notes or provide a personal repeat of the weekly content. Interaction, discussion, and reflection are crucial to learning. It is not possible to reproduce the experience of the group.ﾠNotes and slides in this course are provided to support and complement your learning however they areﾠnot intended as a substitute for experience.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to activate and check your UQ email account regularly. Important messages concerning course materials, lectures, seminars, assessments, or library resources may be communicated via email. Please put ‘SOCY1070’ in the subject line of any email correspondence with the teaching staff. If you do not do this, the email may not be answered promptly or at all.

Aims and outcomes

Aims and outcomes

In this issues-based course, students will apply their developing sociology skills to real world problems of inequality, such as gender discrimination, racism, and rising income inequality, to explore the possibilities for change. Completion of this course will allow students to progress to second year where we expect they will be able to approach more applied methods and sub-discipline based electives with more confidence and better outcomes.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

demonstrate an ability to think sociologically about inequality, including what social inequality is, why it occurs, what its impact is, and possible responses 

LO2.

critically reflect on their own experiences and positionality in relation to inequality and privilege 

LO3.

develop a sense of agency and engage with solution focused social science 

LO4.

develop presentation and communication skills in multiple modes to advocate for social justice initiatives 

Course overview
Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Poster, Reflection Mind Mapping Social Inequality 20%

16/08/2024 2:00 pm
Presentation Video: Pitch
  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
 30%

9/09/2024 -

You will individually record your video in class and upload it to Blackboard during class time.
Essay/ Critique Case Study Report 50%

25/10/2024 2:00 pm

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Mind Mapping Social Inequality

Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
Category
Poster, Reflection
Weight
20%
Due date

16/08/2024 2:00 pm

Task description

In this assignment, you will represent your understanding of a specific issue of social inequality, and its various dimensions, through the creation of a mind map. By visually organising key concepts, factors, and interconnections related to the chosen issue, you will explore its complexity and potential avenues for addressing it. You will then reflect on the process of creating the mind map to examine your thinking processes.

Please see Blackboard for suggestions for approaching the task, details of the marking criteria, and the submission requirements.

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 

AI Use: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date.

Please submit a single document that contains:

a)    Your mind map (page 1 - ie A4 page size)

b)   Your reflection (pages 2-3 -ie 2 pages double-spaced)

c)    Your bibliography (page 4). If you use a particular computer program or platform to develop the mind map, make sure you acknowledge this.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date. 

A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).  

When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator. 

Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date. 

In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.  

Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Video: Pitch

  • Hurdle
  • Identity Verified
  • In-person
Mode
Oral
Category
Presentation
Weight
30%
Due date

9/09/2024 -

You will individually record your video in class and upload it to Blackboard during class time.

Task description

In this assignment, you will create a 3-minute video pitch to articulate the importance of responding to the area of social inequality that you identified in Assessment 1. Drawing on concepts learned in the course, and your own research, you will identify a compelling argument for addressing systemic disparities and injustices in a particular area, and present your pitch in a concise and persuasive manner.

Please see Blackboard for a suggested process for approaching this task, including details on how to optimise your video recording to ensure it will upload to Blackboard. You will also find the marking criteria on Blackboard.

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 

AI Use: This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Hurdle requirements

Note: This task is a hurdle requirement. If a student is not identifiable in the video, they will automatically fail the task. Students must also receive a minimum mark of 45% in this task, in order to pass this course.

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically via Blackboard by the due time on the due date.



Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

As the recording takes place during class time, if you are unable to attend the class you will need to (a) apply for an extension and (b) liaise with the course coordinator to find a date and time to create your video to ensure conditions are equitable with your classmates.

Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).  

Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date. 

Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Case Study Report

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
50%
Due date

25/10/2024 2:00 pm

Task description

This assignment has been developed to help you move from analysing issues of social inequality to considering responses to them. Drawing on concepts learned in the course, you will investigate how individuals, organisations, or communities have responded to systemic disparities and injustices, and write a 1500-word report that describes and compares two real-life responses to your selected area of social inequality.

Marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 

AI Use: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

You must submit your assignment electronically by the due time, on the due date. 

Your assignment must be submitted via Turnitin on blackboard. To submit your assignment electronically log in to https://learn.uq.edu.au/ultra with your UQ username and password, then click on Course Code>>Assessment>>Assignments, and use the appropriate assignment submission link for each piece of assessment. No e-mailed submissions of assessments will be accepted. 

Turnitin links will be configured to permit early submission of assessment items. Students will have the opportunity to submit draft assignments to Turnitin prior to submission of the final assignment in order to review similarity index content and to improve academic writing practice in accordance with UQ Academic Integrity policies. 

By uploading your assignment via Turnitin, you are certifying that the work you submit is your own work except where correctly attributed to another source. Do not submit your assignment if it contains any work that is not your own. Please note that on the preview page, your assignment will be shown without formatting. Your assignment will retain formatting and your course coordinator/tutor will be able to see formatted assignments. Once you have submitted your assignment you are able to go back and view your submission with the correct formatting. 

You are required to retain proof of submission of your assessment. Your Digital Receipt is available for download from your Assignment Dashboard. If you cannot see your submission and download your digital receipt, your assessment has not been successfully submitted; please submit again. If you are unable to submit your assignment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension as set out in section 5.3. 

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS team via AskUs. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

An extension request without penalty will only be considered under exceptional circumstances as outlined on my.UQ. You must submit the extension request as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed, but no later than the assessment item submission due date. 

A request for an extension to an assessment due date must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. The student submitting the request is fully responsible for all supporting documentation that is provided with the request and should ensure all documents are authentic. 

Extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) or an Extension Verification Letter (EVL) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Extensions exceeding this duration or subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).  

When you submit an extension request in the student portal, it is received, read, and actioned by the Social Science Student Administration Team. It does not go to the course coordinator. 

Late applications (requests received after the assessment item submission due date) must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date. 

In considering applications for extensions, students may be asked to supply the work they have completed to date on the assessment piece. This is to establish what efforts have already been made to complete the assessment, and whether the proposed work plan is feasible.  

Late submissions of extension requests in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester. 

Work can NOT be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval. 

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 1 - 29

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.
2 (Fail) 30 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.
3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes
4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.
5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.
6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.
7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

The final grade for the course will be assigned based on the aggregate of the marks from each piece of assessment.ﾠ

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Supplementary assessment is an additional opportunity to demonstrate that the learning requirements for an eligible course have been satisfied and that the graduate attributes for the course have been attained. Supplementary assessment may only be granted where Supplementary Assessment – procedures allow. A passing grade of 4 (or P) is the highest grade that can be awarded in a course where supplementary assessment has been granted. For further information on supplementary assessment please see my.UQ. 

Additional assessment information

Academic Integrity: All students must complete the Academic Integrity Modules https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/ 

Artificial Intelligence (AI):ﾠThis task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance. A failure to reference generative AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI tools.

UQ Assignment Writing Guide: Steps for writing assignments - my.UQ - University of Queensland 

Referencing Style:ﾠUnless otherwise advised, please useﾠAPA 7ﾠto reference your work. Hints and links can be found on Blackboard Course Help.ﾠ

Collaboration vs Collusion:ﾠThis course includes group work activities that require connection and collaboration. What this means is that you will deepen your own learning and understanding by sharing your experiences and listening to or reading the insights of others. Collaborative learning is different from copying or plagiarising the work of others or colluding with others on your assessment. Pleaseﾠfamiliarise yourself with the university policy on plagiarism or speak to the course coordinator to ensure you understand what is required, or if you have any concerns about the integrity of yourﾠwork.ﾠ

Release of Marks: The marks and feedback for assessments will be released to students in a timely manner, prior to the due date of the next assessment piece for the course. This is with the exception of the final piece of assessment. The marks and feedback for the final assessment item will only be made available to the student on the Finalisation of Grades date at the end of semester.  

Assessment Re-mark: For information on requesting an assessment re-mark, please view the following page on my.UQ: https://my.uq.edu.au/querying-result  

Aims and outcomes
Learning resources

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The Learning Modules in Blackboard will take you through various readings and resources to help scaffold your learning. You need to complete these to participate in the seminars.ﾠThe seminars will take your engagement with this material as the starting point for discussions.

Assessment
Learning activities

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)
Lecture

Introduction: How much can we really change the world?

Week 1 is a lecture with the whole SOCY1070 cohort. It serves to introduce you to the course and how it will work. It explains what we mean by social inequality, whether social change is even possible, and why we are interested in the role of the self. There is some additional online material to assist you to find your feet, through an online learning module located in the Blackboard Learning Resources under Week 1. It will orient you to the course.
Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)
Seminar

Where do you want to change the world?

This week, you will engage in an online module and attend your first on-campus seminar, fostering peer interaction and closer tutor engagement. During Week 2's seminar, you will explore Week 1 lecture concepts further with your group, alongside clarifying the course assessment criteria for successful completion. If you haven't already done so, please ensure you are familiar with the online material provided in Week 1. It is located in the Blackboard Learning Resources under Week 1. It will orient you to the course.
Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)
Seminar

What is the impact of multiple inequalities?

This week, we delve into the pivotal concepts of intersectionality and privilege, examining the groundbreaking work of scholars like Kimberly Williams Crenshaw and Peggy McIntosh. We explore how intersectionality illuminates compounded disadvantage, drawing from diverse perspectives including those of First Nations peoples, while contemplating the dynamics of privilege and the challenge of acknowledging and confronting our own privileges as social scientists and citizens. Please ensure you complete the online module prior to your seminar.

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)
Not Timetabled

Assessment development

Due to the public holiday this week, there is no in-person class in Week 4. Instead, you will complete online material specifically oriented to helping you in your assessment for the course. 
Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)
Lecture

Is social inequality inevitable?"

Join us for our second lecture for the course, held in Week 5, to delve into the question: Is social inequality inevitable? We willl trace the historical roots of inequality from encroachments on commons to colonisation, examining how they shape modern societal structures. Additionally, we'll explore contemporary manifestations like the precariat and technofeudalism, shedding light on how they perpetuate social disparities.
Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)
Seminar

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most unequal of all?”

This week's online materials and seminar delve into the complexities of identifying and evaluating inequality. Associate Professor Perales will share his expertise in a recorded guest lecture, discussing methodologies for measuring inequality and urging critical examination of measurement's implications within the broader politics of evidence. Engaging with the online Learning Module prior to the seminar is crucial to fully grasp the discussion's nuances, laying the groundwork for in-depth discussions. Additionally, the seminar will detail Assessment 2 to prepare participants for what to expect.

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)
Seminar

What does social inequality feel like?

This week's online materials and seminar move beyond theoretical discussions to explore the tangible realities of inequality, inspired by Matthew Desmond's groundbreaking research in a poverty-stricken suburb of Milwaukee, USA. We'll examine lived experiences and how qualitative and quantitative methodologies can deepen our understanding. Engaging with the online Learning Module beforehand is essential to provide context for in-class activities and discussions.
Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)
Seminar

If you are born poor will you necessarily stay poor?”

Week 8 focuses on the evolution of inequality over time, examining individual fluctuations and life course perspectives. Associate Professor Paco Perales's recorded lecture poses the question: does being born poor mean staying poor? We will also delve into intergenerational transmission of advantage/disadvantage, exploring broader societal impacts. Transitioning from micro to macro analysis, we'll scrutinise the role of social institutions in shaping equal or unequal societies. Completing the online Learning Module before the seminar is essential for productive class discussions.
Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)
Lecture

(Where) is there hope?

In Week 9, our final lecture for the course, we aim to shift perspective from merely acknowledging societal issues to recognising our individual roles in addressing them, while envisioning pathways forward. We will explore mechanisms of social change, confronting ideologies like victimhood and complacency fostered by neoliberal fatalism, which can hinder progress. Drawing from climate change activism, we'll emphasize a pedagogy of hope, showcasing the transformative power of collective agency through examples of grassroots movements and communal efforts.
Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)
Seminar

What strategies can we use for social transformation?”

In your final assessment, selecting suitable case studies for reflection is crucial. Join our session, designed to guide you through this process. We'll explore the application of a solution-focused social science perspective, offering insights into addressing social inequality. Together, we'll identify effective vehicles for instigating change.
Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)
Not Timetabled

No seminar this week

In Week 11 there is a public holiday for the King's Birthday. Consequently, there will be no seminar this week. Please use this time to work on your assessment.
Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)
Seminar

How do I evaluate change strategies?

In your final assignment, you are tasked with comparing and contrasting various change strategies and evaluating their effectiveness. But how can you determine if a change strategy truly works? Is success solely defined by achieving an outcome? What criteria should you consider? In our seminar, we'll delve into these questions to assist you in refining your assessment.
Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)
Seminar

How do I plan for future impact?

Join us for our final seminar, where we focus on reflection and practical planning. Explore potential future options as we discuss relevant post-SOCY1070 courses. Recognise the knowledge and skills acquired in this course and learn about the essential skills and knowledge for effective advocacy in social change. Additionally, we'll delve into strategies for skill acquisition and effective change-making approaches to help you maximise the remainder of your degree.
Learning resources
Policies and procedures

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

Learning activities