Course and Subject Handbook 2017 Courses Postgraduate Courses Graduate Diploma of Social Science

Graduate Diploma of Social Science

Course code	103406
Course type	AQF Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)
Division	Tropical Environments and Societies

Award Requirements

Admission Requirements

Course pre-requisites

Completion of an AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree, from this or another university, or

Other qualifications recognised by the Dean of the College of Arts, Society and Educations as equivalent to the above.

Minimum English language proficiency requirements

Applicants of non-English speaking backgrounds must meet the English language proficiency requirements of Band 1 – Schedule II of the JCU Admissions Policy.

Additional selection requirements

Students must have obtained a minimum of a Credit average (65%) across 15 credit points of subjects in their final year of study of an AQF level 7 Bachelor Degree.

Academic Requirements for Course Completion

Credit points

24 credit points as per course structure

Additional course rules

A student whose previous qualifications do not include formal research methods subjects must include at least six credit points of graduate level Social Science Research Methods in their program.

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Graduate Diploma of Social Science, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of social theory, practice and professional ethics in at least one discipline in the social sciences
Demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods in at least one discipline in the social sciences
Analyse critically and evaluate social systems, institutions, structures and/or practices
Review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise perspectives, arguments and sources of qualitative and/or quantitative data pertinent to complex social, political, historical, economic, environmental and/or cultural issues, particularly those related to quality of life in the tropics worldwide
Present a clear and coherent exposition of research to a variety of audiences through advanced proficiency in written and spoken English language and, where appropriate, numeracy skills
Design, plan and execute a social science research project with some independence
Apply social theory to research, demonstrating advanced understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in some areas in at least one discipline in the social sciences
Respectfully and responsibly apply knowledge of diversity and difference among people, especially vulnerable and Indigenous peoples, in research and scholarship.

Course Structure

CORE SUBJECTS

SS4100:06 Social Science Honours or Graduate Diploma Thesis Part 1 of 2

SS4101:06 Social Science Honours or Graduate Diploma Thesis Part 2 of 2

OPTIONS

Select 12 credit points of specified subjects from one of the following social science disciplines:

Anthropology
Archaeology
History
Political Science
Sociology

Anthropology

AN3013:03 Culture, Knowledge and Environment

AN3008:03 Myth and Ritual or AN3106:03 Anthropology of Violence or 3 cp of any undergraduate level 2 or 3 AN subject

AN4007:06 Ethnographic Research Methods

Archaeology

AR1001:03 The World of Archaeology

AR3304:03 Archaeology of Celtic Europe or AR3407:03 Forensic Archaeology or 3 cp of any undergraduate level 2 or 3 AR subject

AR4007:06 Archaeological Research Methods

History

HI3424:03 History of Western Political Systems

HI4444:06 History’s Past

HI5001:03 The History of Global Connections

Political Science

PL3110:03 Government and Politics in Developing Areas

PL3294:03 Governing Australia: Policy and Practice

PL4002:06 Theory and Method in Political Science

Sociology

SY1001:03 Australian Society: An Introduction to Sociology

SY4018:06 Contemporary Social Theory

SY3005:03 Qualitative Research

Campus

COURSE AVAILABLE AT	NOTES
Cairns
Townsville

Candidature

Expected time to complete	1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Maximum time to complete	3 years
Maximum leave of absence	1 year

Progression

Course progression requisites	Nil
Course includes mandatory professional placement(s)	No
Special assessment requirements	Nil
Professional accreditation requirements	Nil
Maximum allowed Pass Conceded (PC) grade	Nil
Supplementary exam for final subject	A student who has failed the final subject towards the award and who gained 40% or more of the marks for that subject may be granted a supplementary examination in that subject. However if that subject is required for accreditation, then the criteria specified by that accreditation will apply.

Advanced Standing

Eligibility	Students may apply for advanced standing for previous tertiary study in accordance with the Advanced Standing and Articulation policy and associated procedures.
Maximum allowed	12 credit points
Currency	Advanced standing will be granted only for studies completed in the 10 years prior to the commencement of this course.
Expiry	Advanced standing gained for any subject shall be cancelled 13 years after the date of the examination upon which the advanced standing is based if, by then, the student has not completed the course of study prescribed for the Diploma.
Other restrictions	Not applicable

Award Details

Award title	GRADUATE DIPLOMA OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
Approved abbreviation	GDipSocSc
Inclusion of majors on testamur	Not applicable - this course does not have majors
Exit with lesser award	Not applicable
Course articulation	Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma of Social Science and who obtain at least a Distinction for their Research Dissertation (SS4100 and SS4101) are eligible to apply for entry to the Master of Philosophy [Society and Culture] or the Doctor of Philosophy [Society and Culture]. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma of Social Science are eligible to apply for entry to the Master of Social Science (Coursework).