Please note - Swinburne University of Technology

AS~OO
Urban Sociology
No. of hours per week: four hours daytime or
three hours evening
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: tests, class exercises, and an essay
Subject aims and description
Patterns of urban work and leisure are being transformed, as
are the spatial and temporal relationships within and
between cities. Old industries such as those centred around
mass production are being replaced by new ones centred
around tourism, information technology, financial services
and the production of the modern spectacle (like grand prix
car races, casinos, and the like). Cities are being
differentiated globally. They are also being fragmented
internally by deep and enduring inequalities in access to
resources such as housing.
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5. Urban sociology examines these trends. It locates them in a
broader theoretical debate about the role of cities. Emphasis
is given to the policy implications of these changes and the
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m difficulties governments face solving urban problems in cities
. that are increasingly 'going global'.
3
W Reference
- vl
Savage, M. and Warde, A,, Urban Sociolog)! Capitalism and
,I Modernit)! London, Macmillan, 1993
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~ ~ 3 0 2 Sociology of Organisations
No. of hours per week: three hours
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Prerequisites: twostage two sociology subjects
CA
including AS204
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Assessment: consists of two essays and a class
CA
E. paper
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3 Subject aims and description
2 The twentieth century is the age of the large organisation. In
particular, it is distinguished by the emergence of giant multidivisional
corporations, often impersonally owned and
bureaucratically managed, and global in their operations.
This subject examines first the key explanations and accounts
of largebrganisational structures. It then considers
contemaorarv lines of orqanisational analysis, including the
organisetional culture
feminism, corporate
power analysis, and post modernism. The subject includes
analysis of organisations in the burgeoning East Asian
nations, the massive problems faced by the giant
corporations of earlier decades, and the emergence of new
corporate forms in the late twentieth century.
Reference
Clegg, S. Modern Organizations: Organization Studies in the
Postmodern World. London, Sage, 1990
~ a o 3 Current Issues in Sociology
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: continuous
Subject aims and description
The subject matter of AS303 changes on a year to year basis
depending on what issues are considered relevant and
interesting to students. Typical issues include environment,
health and gender. Irrespective of the issue, key concepts and
theories drawn from sociology will be used to inform
students' understanding.
At present the focus is on the environment and population.
The course analyses the effects of different forms of social
organisation on the natural environment, concentrating on
the degree to which environmental stress is caused by
population growth and the degree to which it is caused by
inappropriate use of resources.
The subject is organised on a seminar basis and emphasises
student participation.
References
Commoner, 0. Making Peace with the Planet, New York, Pantheon
Books, 1990
Harding, G. Living Within Limits, New York, Oxford University Press,
1993
AS306
Methodology of Social Research
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment: continuous
Note: This subject must be taken by students
completing a major in sociology
Subject aims and description
This subject is designed to provide an understanding of the
range of methodologies that link sociological theory with
social research practices, and to provide the opportunity for
practical experience in research by using different methods
and designs.ln this subject, we examine the relationship
between theory, research design and policy. Students are
introduced to a range of methods of data gathering, data
analysis and presentation of results, using both quantitative
and qualitative strategies. Each student will carry out a
substantial piece of independent research under staff
supervision.
References
de Vaus, D.A. Surveys in Social Research. 3rd edn, North Sydney,
Allen and Unwin, 1991
Judd, C.M., Smith, E.R. and Kidder, L.H. Research Methods in Social
Relations. 6th edn, Fort Worth, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1991
AS307
Sociology and Social Policy
No. of hours per week: three hours
Prerequisites: two stage two sociology subjects
including AS204
Assessment; continuous
Subject aims and description
This subject is designed to allow students to develop their
understanding of the relationship between sociological
research, theory and social policy.Particular attention is given
to the sociology of health and illness. The subject reviews the
major theoretical and ideological approaches to social policy
and introduces students to some of the key processes in
healthy policy, e.g. problem identification, policy
implementation, evaluation and monitoring.
References
Davis, A. and George, J. States of Health, 2nd edn, Sydney, Harper,
1993
Gardner, H. (ed.) Health Policy: Development, Implementation and
Evaluation in Australia. Melbourne, Churchill Livingstone, 1992
Palmer, R. and Short, 5. Health Care and Public Polic)! an Australian
Analysis. 2nd edn, South Melbourne, Macmillan, 1994