COURSE INFORMATION

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

G36 Bachelor of Social Science

INTRODUCTION

The three year Bachelor of Social Science degree at Edith Cowan University is intended to broaden students' understanding of themselves, their community, and society as well as prepare them for work as policy makers, managers and practitioners within the community/public service sector.  Students may choose to take a general Major in Community Studies combining two different areas of study or choose a more specialised Major in one area of study. Specialist majors are available in Children and Family Studies, Disability, Gerontology, Human Services, Women's Studies, Youth Work and Youth, Health and Physical Activity. Students may combine two areas to make a Community Studies Major.  These include:  Disability Studies, Gerontology, Human Services, Children and Family Studies, Youth Work, Addiction Studies, Justice Studies, Leisure Sciences, Psychology, Applied Anthropology and Sociology, Health Promotion, Youth, Health and Physical Activity and Social Studies.

 

To achieve accreditation as a welfare and community worker students may combine any of the above majors with a Welfare and Community Work Major.

 

The Bachelor of Social Science offers a pathway into social work. Students are eligible to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Social Work on completion of any 16 units in the Bachelor of Social Science. Alternatively, student may elect to complete their major in the Bachelor of Social Science in these 16 units. This is a restricted pathway and student intending to attempt this must contact the Joondalup Programme Director, ICCS.

 

COURSE LOCATION AND MODE OF STUDY

The course is available by full-time or part-time study on the Joondalup campus.

 

All core units in Community Studies are available in print-based external mode, with some units having web-based (Blackboard) supplements.  Other units may be available externally, please refer to the timetable.

 

The course is a suitable pathway to the Bachelor of Social Work degree offered at the South West Campus (Bunbury) and at Joondalup.

 

SPECIAL EXIT POINTS

Students enrolled in the double degree Bachelor of Arts Education/Bachelor of Social Science who wish to exit early and not complete the education award are able to exit through the Bachelor of Social Science by transferring from the double degree program into the Bachelor of Social Science with a major in Community Studies. Students must consult the relevant course co-ordinator before transferring in order to develop an appropriate study plan.

 

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

Students who complete a Major in Children and Family Studies receive Accreditation under the Community Services (Child Care) legislation to work as trained staff in child care.  Accreditation for Outside School Hours Care and Family Day Care is pending, and the course will meet the proposed requirements in these areas.  Any of the following Majors (Children and Family Studies; Community Studies; Disability; Gerontology; Human Services; Women's Studies; Youth, Health and Physical Activity; and Youth Work) in combination with the Major in Welfare and Community Work are accredited with the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers.

 

NOTES

  • Students selecting to complete a Major in Children & Family Studies, Disability, Gerontology, Human Services, Women’s Studies, Youth, Health & Physical Activity, and Youth Work are required to undertake practicum units. The amount of practicum varies depending on individual majors and external accreditation requirements. The Major in Children and Family Studies includes 4 practicum units currently delivered by TAFE at ECU or externally.
  • A process of Recognition of Prior Learning enables students to credit previous study and experience where appropriate.
  • The 16 unit major in Home Economics is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Education/Bachelor of Social Science.
  • Students may elect to combine any of the above majors with the Welfare and Community Work major to obtain accreditation as a community worker with the Australian Institute of Welfare & Community Workers.
  • Students are eligible to apply for transfer into the Bachelor of Social work on completion of 16 units in the Bachelor of Social Science. A specialist pathway exists enabling students to complete their Major in the Bachelor of Social Science within these 16 units.
  • Students may complete no more than 150 credit points at year 1 level

Students should seek further information about these possibilities from the School Student Support Officers or from a relevant Course Coordinator.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

 

Award requirements

Students enrolling in the Bachelor of Social Science must complete a total of 24 units, each of 15 credit points (24x15=360 credit points).  Students may complete no more than 150 credit points at year One level.

The degree has three components:

  • Core units (six 15 credit point units)
  • One Major (twelve 15 credit point units)
  • A Supplementary Program (six 15 credit point units)

 

Component

Requirements

units

credit points

Core units:

Six (6) compulsory core units

6

90

Major

One twelve (12) unit Major from the BSoc Sci Majors list

12

180

Supplementary Program

A Supplementary Program comprising:

  • An additional specialisation of six (6) units from the BSoc Sci

or

  • A six (6) unit Minor from anywhere in the School or the University

or

  • A set of six (6) electives from anywhere in the School or the University

6

90

 

Total Required Units and Credit Points

24

360

 

NB: All selections are subject to availability, and to standard University and Course Rules.

 

Semester requirements

In each semester, full-time students will normally complete four units (each unit is worth 15 credit points):

  • One unit from the compulsory Core Units
  • Two units from the Major
  • One unit from the Supplementary Program

 

Students normally complete first level units, before advanced level units. Unit pre-requisites must be met in all cases.

 

Selecting an individual course of study within the Bachelor of Social Science

The Bachelor of Social Science has been designed with great flexibility, to provide students with an excellent range of choices whist still maintaining a coherent program. The selection of units within the program is subject to availability, and normal University and Faculty rules. This flexible approach does mean students need to take great care in selecting an individual program of study, which fulfils the course requirements. Students are advised to consult with the School Student Support Officer or a relevant Course Coordinator in planning their course.

 
Community Studies Compulsory Core Units
 
All students complete all six of these units:
CSV1101 Introduction to Community Work 15
CSV1102 Introduction to Social Analysis 15
CSV3101 Social Policy 15
CSV3102 Social Programme Evaluation 15
CSV3111 Community Development 15
CSV3112 Administration and Management in Community and Public Services 15
 
 
 

Majors in the Bachelor of Social Science

 

All students complete a Major as part of their degree.  The Bachelor of Social Science offers students a wide range of majors as choices.  All majors have 12 units (12x15=180 credit points).  The choices available include:

 

Seven Majors with a strong specialist emphasis:

  • Children and Family Services
  • Disability
  • Gerontology
  • Human Services 
  • Women's Studies
  • Youth Work
  • Youth, Health and Physical Activity

 

One general Major which combines two areas of study:

  • Community Studies

 

NB: Honours programs are available to students from all majors, subject to the approval of the School.

MACHNFChildren and Family Studies Major
MACMSTCommunity Studies Major
MADISDisability Major
MAGHSGerontology Major
MAHEHome Economics Major
MAHSERHuman Services Major
MAWCWWelfare and Community Work Major
MAWOMNWomen's Studies Major
MAYHPYouth, Health and Physical Activity Major
MAYOUYouth Work Major
 

Supplementary Program

All students must complete six 15 credit point units from the Supplementary Program. This comprises:

  • An additional specialisation of six units from the Bsoc Sci

or

  • A six unit Minor from anywhere in the School or University  (subject to standard rules)

or

  • A set of six electives from anywhere in the School or University  (subject to standard rules)
 

BSoc Sci Specialisations/Minors

 

All Specialisations/Minors comprise six (6) 15 credit point units (total 90 credit points) from within a related area. Areas marked with * are those located in Schools/Faculties outside of SICCS. The set of units selected must comprise two (2) at first year level and four (4) at upper levels.

MIABSTAboriginal Studies Minor
MIADDAddiction Studies Minor
MIAASApplied Anthropology and Sociology Minor
MIASIAAsian Studies Minor
MIAUSSAustralian Cultural Studies Minor
MICHNFChildren and Family Studies Minor
MICMSTCommunity Studies Minor
MIDISDisability Minor
MIGEOGeography Minor
MIGHSGerontology Minor
MIHPROHealth Promotion Minor
MIHSERHuman Services Minor
MIJUSJustice Studies Minor
MILEISLeisure Studies Minor
MIPHRPhilosophy and Religion Minor
MIPOLGPolitics and Government Minor
MIPDProfessional Development Minor
MIPSYPsychology Minor
MISSSocial Studies Minor
MIWOMWomen's Studies Minor
MIYHPYouth, Health and Physical Activity Minor
MIYOUYouth Work Minor
 

Supporting Majors and Minors in Community Studies

 

The School of International, Cultural and Community Studies welcomes students from across the university to study components of the BSoc Sci. There are two Supporting Majors (one eight (8) unit and one ten (10) unit) available to students who are not enrolled in the B Soc Sci, and one six (6) unit Minor.

 
 
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes, Graduate Attributes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Student Equity, Diversity and Disability Service website:
http://intranet.ecu.edu.au/student/support/student-equity

Last Updated - Higher Education: 18/11/2004