Bachelor of Social Science
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
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Contact: l.dowse@unsw.edu.au
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Campus: Kensington Campus
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Career: Undergraduate
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Typical Duration: 3 Years
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Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
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Min UOC Per Semester: 3
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Max UOC Per Semester: 24
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Min UOC For Award: 144
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Award(s):
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Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)
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Bachelor of Social Science (Combined Honours)
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Bachelor of Social Science (Major)
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Program Description
The Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) degree combines a core program of study in social science, policy analysis and research methods with a major in a particular social science discipline. The BSocSci can be completed full-time in Stand-Alone mode (normally 3 years), in Concurrent Mode (the equivalent of two years full-time) or part-time. The basic requirements of the program are simple. The BSOCSCI has a depth component and a breadth component. Students enrolled in Stand-Alone mode do both the depth and breadth component while students enrolled in Concurrent Mode only complete the depth component.
The Depth component (Blue Zone) is:
- The completion of the Social Science Core (42 UOC - 7 courses)
- The completion of a Major Stream (54 UOC - 9 courses) selected from the list of the BSocSci approved major streams
The Breadth component (for students completing the program in Stand-Alone mode) (Green Zone) is:
- Free Electives (36 UOC - 6 courses) which can be taken either within or outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- General Education (12 UOC - 2 courses) which must be taken outside of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
The Bachelor of Social Science core program aims to provide students with skills in undertaking social research, particularly in an applied policy setting. These include written communication skills with particular emphasis on reports, submissions, position papers and proposals; the ability to undertake research and data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative; analysis and critical evaluation of research, arguments and policies; and the use of computers in social research and information processing.
The major stream aims to equip students with a knowledge base in one of the social sciences.
The Graduate Attributes for this Program are as follows:
- Understanding of the knowledge base of Social Sciences
- Ability to conduct research
- Skills in oral and written communication
- Skills in critical analysis of knowledge claims
- Problem Solving Skills
- Time Management Skills
- Teamwork Skills
- An attitude of tolerance to alternative viewpoints concerning controversial issues and an ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these viewpoints.
Program Structure
The basic requirements for the degree are:
Stand-Alone Mode (144 UOC) made up of:
- Social Science Core (42 UOC)
- A Major Stream (54 UOC)
- Free electives (36 UOC)
- General Education (12 UOC)
Concurrent Mode (96 UOC) made up of:
- Social Science Core (42 UOC)
- A Major Stream (54 UOC)
Core
The following compulsory courses (42 UOC) form the Social Science Core
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Level 1 |
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Level 2 |
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Level 3 |
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SLSP3000 Social Theory and Policy (6 UOC) |
Major Stream
The following major streams are available in the Bachelor of Social Science. External streams (those offered by other Faculties) appear in the grey boxes.
| Economics* | Environmental Studies | Geography* | |
| History | Human Resource Management* | Indigenous Studies | |
| International Relations | Marketing* | Media, Culture and Technology | |
| Politics | Sociology and Anthropology |
| * denotes majors offered by Faculties other than Arts and Social Sciences. |
External Streams
Geography and Economics are major streams that are 60 UOC. Students wishing to complete these streams will be required to use 6 UOC (one course) from their free electives to meet the requirements.
Human Resource Management, International Business and Marketing are 48 UOC streams. Students completing these streams must complete a 6 UOC (one course) Prescribed Faculty Elective. A Prescribed Faculty Elective any course chosen by the student from the offerings of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Free Electives
A Free Elective is any course offered either within or outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in which the student is able to enrol.
General Education
General Education is the completion of two courses (12 UOC) offered outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Award with Distinction
High achieving students who secure a WAM of 75 across their program and who have completed at at least 48uoc of their program at UNSW are eligible for the award of their Pass Degree "with Distinction".
Honours
High achieving students may apply for entry to Honours, Honours is an additional year of study (two years part-time) which allows a student to further explore the Social Sciences in greater depth. Qualified students complete Honours in one of the following areas; (a) Social Science, (b) their major stream, or (c) combined Honours in Social Science and their major stream. Those students who are considering Honours should submit an expression of interest at the beginning of Level 3 and complete a formal application at the end of Level 3. Both should be submitted to either the School of Social Sciences and International Studies Honours Convenor and/or the Honours convenor of the School or stream if a stream major is being undertaken. Entry to Honours requires a WAM of 70 or higher in the core, or the major stream, or both depending on the type of study chosen and is subject to resources and the approval of the Head of the School. Honours is awarded in three classes (Class 1, Class 2 in two Divisions, and Class 3). If requirements for these classes are not met the Pass degree will be awarded if the student is not already a Graduate of the program.
| Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) - Sample Program - Example Only | |||||||||
| LEVEL |
CORE COURSES (compulsory) |
MAJOR SEQUENCE (your choice) Example from DEVELOPMENT STUDIES |
FREE ELECTIVES (example) |
GENERAL EDUCATION (example) |
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| LEVEL 1 - 48 units of credit | |||||||||
| S1 |
ARTS1750 Intro to Development Studies (6 UOC) (Development Studies) |
Free elective (6 UOC) Free elective (6 UOC) |
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| S2 |
ARTS1751 Poor World, Rich World (6 UOC) (Development Studies) |
Free elective (6 UOC) Free elective (6 UOC) |
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| LEVEL 2 - 48 units of credit | |||||||||
| S1 | SLSP2001 Applied Social Research 1 (6 UOC) |
Development Studies (6 UOC) Development Studies (6 UOC) |
Free elective (6 UOC) | ||||||
| S2 |
Development Studies (6 UOC) Development Studies (6 UOC) |
Free elective (6 UOC) |
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| LEVEL 3 - 48 units of credit | |||||||||
| S1 |
Development Studies (6 UOC) |
General Education (6 UOC) |
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| S2 |
Development Studies (6 UOC) Development Studies Capstone (6 UOC) |
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General Education (6 UOC) | ||||||
Academic Rules
To qualify for the award of the degree at the Pass level, a student must:
Stand-Alone Mode
- enrol in the Bachelor of Social Science and complete 144 units of credit;
- complete the requirements for the core
- complete the requirements for one stream
- complete 36 UOC of Free Electives
- complete 12 UOC of General Education
- complete at least 30 units of credit of Level I courses before enrolling in Level II courses
- specify their major stream at the time of enrolment into Level II
- complete at least 24 UOC in their major stream before enrolling in Level III courses
- complete at least 120 UOC overall before enrolling in their stream Capstone course
Concurrent Mode
- enrol in the Bachelor of Social Science and complete 96 units of credit;
- complete the requirements for the core
- complete the requirements for one stream
- complete at least 30 units of credit of Level I courses before enrolling in Level II courses
- specify their major stream at the time of enrolment into Level II
- complete at least 24 UOC in their major stream before enrolling in Level III courses
- complete at least 72 UOC overall before enrolling in their stream Capstone course
Honours
To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours, a Stand-Alone or Concurrent student must:
- be a Graduand or Graduate of the Bachelor of Social Science (Advanced)
- hold a WAM of 70 or higher in either (a) core and prescribed electives (b) their stream (c) their core and prescribed electives and their stream
- complete the seminar coursework requirement for their area of study (18 UOC)
- complete a research project or thesis (30 UOC)
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html
Important Information
The Academic Rules for the Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.
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