updated 11:44 AM on Wed, 22 September
View course information for 2021
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
With an emphasis on social justice and positive change, the Bachelor of Social Science develops your ability to interpret, analyse and offer creative solutions to problems in contemporary society, encouraging you to become a dynamic citizen in the public sphere.
You’ll develop high-level critical and analytical skills with core units covering development across the lifespan, social research, Australian politics, Indigenous world-views, philosophy, communication and community. The course covers political institutions and ideas of power, resistance and social justice and an understanding of how particular groups within society are advantaged or disadvantaged by current social arrangements.
University-wide majors are available in this course, as is the option to undertake a professional placement towards the end of your degree.
A wide range of career opportunities exist in government, social justice and welfare agencies, environmental and non-governmental organisations. Graduates may also choose to continue their studies with the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) to qualify as a social worker.
With an emphasis on social justice and positive change, the Bachelor of Social Science develops your ability to interpret, analyse and offer creative solutions to problems in contemporary society, encouraging you to become a dynamic citizen in the public sphere.
You’ll develop high-level critical and analytical skills with core units covering development across the lifespan, social research, Australian politics, Indigenous world-views, philosophy, communication and community. The course covers political institutions and ideas of power, resistance and social justice and an understanding of how particular groups within society are advantaged or disadvantaged by current social arrangements.
University-wide majors are available in this course, as is the option to undertake a professional placement towards the end of your degree.
A wide range of career opportunities exist in government, social justice and welfare agencies, environmental and non-governmental organisations. Graduates may also choose to continue their studies with the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying) to qualify as a social worker.
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
Where a student has completed multiple awards of the same level below AQF level 7, only one will be assessed for Advanced Standing.
Shared majors
You can choose a shared major as part of your degree.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Session 1, Session 2 |
| Online | Session 1, Session 2 |
International students
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Think critically and contextually in a diverse range of professional and personal settings. |
Engage in advocacy and problem-solving regarding contemporary social and political issues. |
Become effective and ethical practitioners in a wide range of vocations in public, private and community sectors. |
Demonstrate an understanding of political and social processes impacting on people's life opportunities. Demonstrate a commitment to issues of human rights, social justice and ecological sustainability. |
Become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners. |
Research issues and construct and present an argument in written and oral forms. Use contemporary technologies effectively. |
Communicate constructively in a manner that is respectful of the diverse communities in which we live and work. |
Assessment items may include essays, research reports, case analysis, the use of blogs and wikis, or video presentations. Some units have an examination.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Our online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Career opportunities exist in state and federal governments and agencies in various capacities, including policy roles. Pathways to careers exist in the non-government sector, for example in social justice, environmental and charitable organisations. Many graduates also find employment in agencies that deliver community and welfare services to disadvantaged groups.
Graduates may also choose to continue their studies in the Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying), accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers, to qualify as a social worker.
You can undertake an optional professional placement unit towards the end of your degree, to gain on-the-job experience in your chosen field and advance your career goals. Placements can be undertaken in many types of establishments or organisations such as government departments and non-government community organisations. Typical activities during placement may include policy development, specific projects, community engagement, research or grant application.
Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.
Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.
Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Social Science, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
Exit Awards
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Social Science after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points).
Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Social Science after completing the equivalent of 8 core units (96 credit points).
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Plus one capstone unit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Plus one shared major, or 8 electives (ensuring 2 are Advanced) , or one shared minor plus 2 Advanced electives. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1001 | Introduction to Sociology | Session1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT1001 | Australian Politics | Session1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CRTV1002 | Create: Innovate: Change | Session1,2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 1, Session 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1005 | Social Policy | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1002 | Understanding Community | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1003 | Deviance in Society | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 2, Session 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI2006 | Doing Social Research | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT2004 | Analysing Policy Problems | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI2005 | Society, Health and Illness | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 2, Session 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI2003 | Non-Standard Lives: Work and Family in Australia | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT2001 | Ideas and Ideals in Politics | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI3003 | Religions and the State | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th shared major unit OR university wide elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 3, Session 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT2002 | Local Government | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th shared major unit OR university wide elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th shared major unit OR university wide elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th shared major unit OR university wide elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 3, Session 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT3001 | Peace, War and International Politics | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| COMM3004 - Independent Project OR COMM3002 - Professional Placement | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT3004 | Global Social Movements | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th shared major OR university wide elective | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Available | Notes | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1, Session 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1005 | Social Policy | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1002 | Understanding Community | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1003 | Deviance in Society | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 2, Session 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI1001 | Introduction to Sociology | Session1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT1001 | Australian Politics | Session1,3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| CRTV1002 | Create: Innovate: Change | Session1,2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2nd shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 2, Session 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI2003 | Non-Standard Lives: Work and Family in Australia | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT2001 | Ideas and Ideals in Politics | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI3003 | Religions and the State | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3rd shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 3, Session 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI2006 | Doing Social Research | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT2004 | Analysing Policy Problems | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| SOCI2005 | Society, Health and Illness | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4th shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 3, Session 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT3001 | Peace, War and International Politics | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT3004 | Global Social Movements | Session2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5th shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6th shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year 4, Session 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| COMM3004 - Independent Project OR COMM3002 - Professional Placement | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| POLT2002 | Local Government | Session1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7th shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8th shared major unit OR university wide elective unit | ||||||||||||||||||||||