Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Social Science School
This course provides students with a framework to position themselves as active agents with the capacity to address societal problems. The course aims to give students a 'futures literacy' that will allow them to apply humanities, social science and political science knowledge to the kinds of pressing issues that many public and private organisations are currently trying to address. Students will learn how to use this knowledge to understand social and political problems and they will develop real-world skills through assessments that replicate everyday challenges from a variety of professional settings (writing funding applications, presenting policy briefs and designing participatory policy mechanisms). Students will also have the opportunity to connect with a variety of professionals - government officials, social entrepreneurs and not-for-profit leaders - who rely on social science knowledge when doing their job. Ultimately, the focus on practical knowledge, skill-building and industry interaction will equip students with the tools and the confidence to achieve social change.
This is an innovative course that incorporates dynamic learning experiences: in addition to traditional course activities, students will also participate in field visits to not-for-profit organisations that are actively and critically engaged in efforts to alleviate poverty and respond to structural inequalities that challenge families. Additionally, students will undertake assessment that has a strong practical orientation. The course engages deeply with Indigenous knowledges, particularly how First Nations people play critical roles in determining what constitutes disadvantage and how help should be configured. Overall, this course will prepare students for a range of potential pathways that await them upon graduation.
Course requirements
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
2 units of Level 1 courses and 4 units of Level 2 courses
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
HUMN3600
Course contact
Course coordinator
Dr Ella Kuskoff
School enquiries
Student Enquiries School of Social Science
Level 3, Michie Building (09), St Lucia campus, The University of Queensland.
Monday-Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-4:00pm.
Course staff
Lecturer
Professor Cameron Parsell
Dr Ella Kuskoff
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email the School of Social Science Administration Team at student.socsci@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details: full name, student ID, and course code.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Identify and unpack complex social problems
LO2.
Understand that many forms of disadvantage have social causes and consequences
LO3.
Critically evaluate current responses to social problems and propose more viable solutions
LO4.
Skilfully draw on empirical evidence in the development of an argument
LO5.
Develop your agency to address complex social problems in a critical and reflexive way
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation |
Funding Pitch (with a Hurdle)
|
50% |
Written Funding Pitch document due 12/09/2025 5:00 pm Oral conversation due 22/09/2025 11:00 am |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Policy brief | 50% |
24/10/2025 5:00 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
Funding Pitch (with a Hurdle)
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
Written Funding Pitch document due 12/09/2025 5:00 pm
Oral conversation due 22/09/2025 11:00 am
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
This assessment has two components:
1. A written Funding Pitch document (2000 words). The purpose of this pitch is to seek (hypothetical) funding to deliver a program, activity, or event which responds to poverty or social disadvantage experienced by individuals or families in Australia.
2. An oral conversation with the lecturers (5 minutes). The purpose of this conversation is to ensure you are able to verbally articulate core aspects of your funding pitch. This oral is a pass/fail hurdle - you must pass the oral component to pass Assessment 1 overall.
More detailed information about each component and how to approach them is provided in the 'Assessment 1 Instructions' document in the Assessment 1 folder on Blackboard. The marking rubrics are also available in the Assessment 1 folder on Blackboard.
This is a secure assessment.
Hurdle requirements
The oral conversation will be held in-person during class hours (11am-2pm) on Monday 22 September. You will be allocated a 5-minute timeslot within the 11am-2pm window. The conversation will take place between you and both lecturers (i.e. this is not a presentation to the class). The lecturers will ask you the following questions, and may ask some additional follow up questions. • What is the problem your funding pitch is trying to address? • What are the current responses to addressing the problem? • What is the proposed solution that you articulate in your funding pitch? When answering these questions, it is important that your responses align with the information in your written funding pitch. To pass this hurdle, you need to provide a response to each of these questions in a way that is consistent with your written pitch. If you receive a ‘fail’ on any of these questions, you will receive a grade of 3 (45%) for Assignment 1. If this is the case, you will have the option to apply for a supplementary assessment.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.
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.
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 experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
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.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. 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.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request.
In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
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.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Policy brief
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
24/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05
Task description
Based on the assumption that your proposed program, activity, or event from Assignment 1 was successfully funded and carried out, the purpose of this policy brief is to provide a concise and informative overview of what happened. This policy brief can be targeted either towards a government department with a vested interest in solving the problem you identified, or towards the organisation that provided the initial funding.
More detailed information about how to approach the policy brief is provided in the 'Assessment 2 Instructions' document in the Assessment 2 folder on Blackboard. The marking rubric is also available in the Assessment 2 folder on Blackboard.
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.
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.
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 experiencing technical difficulties with Blackboard, please contact the ITS Support Team.
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.
Please note that from Semester 2, 2025 the Assessment Procedure has changed. You must submit a request for an extension as soon as it becomes clear you need an extension. Your request should be submitted no later than the assessment item's due date and time.
The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation corroborating the reason for the request. A list of acceptable reasons for an extension and the evidence you must provide can be found here. Your request may be refused if you do not meet the acceptable reasons for an extension. 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.
Students who are registered with Student Support and Wellbeing Services may apply for an extension without providing documentation. This extension request must be the student’s first extension request for the assessment item. If you proceed with an extension request based on your SAP, you will be ineligible to use your discretionary extension for the same assessment item. In the School of Social Science, extensions on the basis of an approved Student Access Plan (SAP) can be approved for a maximum period of 7 calendar days. Subsequent extensions for a piece of assessment will require students to provide their SAP along with additional supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate or other supporting evidence listed on my.UQ).
A student is eligible for a discretionary extension for one assessment task per semester for a duration of 2 calendar days or less. A discretionary extension may only be used on a student’s first extension request for an assessment task.
A student may have a maximum of 3 extension requests approved for a single assessment task. If a third extension is necessary, you must submit an Assessment Management Plan in addition to your supporting documentation with your request.
In exceptional circumstances, a fourth extension may be requested through the grievance and appeals process.
Extension requests exceeding the maximum extension period stated for a piece of assessment will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (circumstances outside of your control) with additional supporting documentation.
Late applications must include evidence of the reasons for the late request, detailing why you were unable to apply for an extension by the due date and time. The School of Social Science will not accept personal statements.
Extension requests are processed and managed by the School of Social Science Administration Team.
Extensions in your final semester of study could delay your graduation by up to one semester.
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.
Work will not be accepted if it is more than one week (7 calendar days) late without prior approval.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 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. |
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/
School Guide for Written Assessments: School of Social Science Guide for Written Assessments
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
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
Please see the course guide (available via Blackboard) for a week-by-week breakdown of readings, which will be made available through the course reading list. It is also expected that students will exercise their autonomy and read from a range of relevant materials as they critically engage with the key themes (and assessment items) for this course.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Seminar |
Introduction and the social construction of problems Introduction to the vision of SOSC3600. How does the way we think about policy problems influence the policies we design to address them? The bridge between students' employment aspirations and SOSC3600. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Seminar |
Poverty in Australia and what we do about it This workshop will focus on the three broad areas of (1) poverty, (2) the welfare state, and (3) charities and NGOs responding to poverty. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Excursion |
The Park Hotel This week we go off campus and examine some recent efforts in Brisbane to meet the needs of people who are excluded from society. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Seminar |
How to write a funding pitch This week is a seminar dedicated to the science and art of writing a funding pitch. This is a critical discussion for the first assessment. Learning outcomes: L03, L04, L05 |
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Excursion |
Brisbane Common Ground This week we go off campus and take a first-hand look at some of the ways that Brisbane responds to poverty, including how it tries to end poverty by providing permanent supportive housing. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Seminar |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families Family and kin relationships are central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples social and cultural life. As the course has shown to this point, Indigenous families are disadvantaged in many domains of Australian society. On the other hand, understanding and highlighting the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is critical to realise not only positive family life, but true reconciliation in Australia. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Self-directed learning There is no content this week. Use this time to work on your assignments. Learning outcomes: L03, L04 |
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Seminar |
Agency and responding to injustice This week we hear from Micah Projects CEO Karyn Walsh AM about how Micah Projects was founded by a small group of people united by a shared belief that they could solve the injustices they saw in society. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Seminar |
In-class oral assessment This class is when you will do your oral hurdle for Assessment 1. You will be allocated a 5-minute timeslot within the 11am-2pm window. Please wait outside the classroom to be called in. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester break |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Public holiday |
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Seminar |
How to write a policy brief Writing a policy brief is critical to convey knowledge to ensure that the knowledge is used. The seminar takes the class through the entire process of writing a policy brief, which is critical for Assessment 2. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Seminar |
Domestic and family violence Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) is a pervasive and deeply entrenched social issue in Australia. By this week, we will have heard countless references to DFV during our class discussions due to its inextricable interconnectedness to problems such as homelessness, child protection, and family dynamics. Indeed, DFV is now recognised as wicked social problem. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Seminar |
Bringing it together It's been a big semester. Fast paced and many ideas and examples introduced, observed, and discussed. In this final session, we will critically reflect upon SOSC3600. We will ask what we have learnt, what has surprised and challenged us, and what is useful for us to take beyond. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Many of our seminars and fieldwork trips involve guest speakers from industry and government. Sometimes we need to change the order of the seminars to fit in with the guest speakers' availability. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the SOSC3600 Learning Guide, available on Blackboard, and pay attention to Blackboard announcements. Information regarding the fieldwork is contained with the SOSC3600 Learning Guide and will be clearly communicated in advance via Blackboard announcements.
Excursion: While attending the excursions is not compulsory, we strongly encourage students to attend if they can, as it is an incredible opportunity to experience practical examples of society responding to poverty and to start getting ideas for assignments. The fieldwork will occur within scheduled class hours. Although there is no additional cost associated with the excursions, students will need to make their own way to the excursion meeting spots. More details on the exact meeting spots, times, and other details are available in the course Learning Guide, and will be shared via Blackboard announcements in advance of the excursions.
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.