An Introduction - School of Social Science

Bachelor of Social Science An Introduction Presenter:

Dr Patricia Short School of Social Science

Position:

Program Director, B. Social Science

Want to Make a Difference? Social Scientists are interested in how societies work, how they came to be that way and how they might be different. A UQ Bachelor of Social Science is a way to make a difference in the fields of:

   

Development Health and Society Social and Public Policy Criminal Justice UQ Open Day 2009

A Bachelor of Social Science  The UQ Bachelor of Social Science is a multidisciplinary program  Teaching and Learning have an applied focus  Students work with skilled researchers, practitioners and peers UQ Open Day 2009

What do you study in a Bachelor of Social Science? Core courses in the social sciences, including sociology, psychology, political science, and social science research methods A block of courses in a Major Field of Study

Courses you choose which could consist of a structured Minor Field of Study or other courses on the BSocSc list or any other undergraduate course Capstone research and development project, a small group project undertaken with Industry Partners and Academic Advisors. UQ Open Day 2009

Majors

 Development  Health and Society  Social and Public Policy  Criminal Justice UQ Open Day 2009

Development This major provides a social science perspective on international and community development issues. Courses include analysis of the social impacts of development, evaluating international aid & community development projects , and environmental policy. The major emphasises working in multidisciplinary teams to alleviate poverty and inequality and develop sustainable societies, communities and environments. UQ Open Day 2009

What do you study in the Development major?  Introduction to International Inequality and Development

 Politics of Development  Sociology of the Environment  Globalisation & Development in Post-Colonial Societies  Community Development: Local and International Practices  Conflict Prevention & Resolution

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Social and Public Policy This major connects the social sciences to the world of practical politics. Students gain the skills to analyse social and economic issues and develop, implement and evaluate policy solutions Courses include analysis of social and economic issues, policy development, implementation, management, and evaluation, and community engagement and development This major emphasises the ways in which social policy impacts on us all, and the importance of social policy in producing change for individuals and for society as a whole.

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What do you study for a Social and Public Policy major?  The Welfare of Australians  Australian Social Policy  Politics and the Economy  Indigenous Politics & Policy  Environmental Politics & Policy

 Analysis and Practice in Social Policy  Social Work Practice and Housing  Governance and Australian Public Policy

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Health and Society This major focuses on the social factors influencing health and illness, on the way health systems works, and on the relevance of social science in health care. Courses cover inequalities in health and illness, health promotion, health care administration , health-related project management and evaluation, and health-related research. The major emphasises the social and ethical determinants of health, and the local and global factors important for achieving better health

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What do you study in the Health major?  Introduction to Health, Illness & Society  Introduction to Psychology  Sex, Drugs and Disease: the health of the marginalised  Health and Social Justice in Global Contexts  Health Services Planning and Evaluation  Health and Social Justice in Global Context  Sociology of Health Communication  Health Services Planning  Health Promotion UQ Open Day 2009

Criminal Justice This major gives students the background and skills to critically evaluate how we can better respond to emerging crime problems in our communities. Courses included in the major focus on the social factors leading to criminality and the response to criminal behaviour from the justice system. This major emphasises applied social policy issues relating to criminal justice.

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What do you study in the Criminal Justice major?  Introduction to Criminal Justice  Introduction to Sociology  Police and Society  Crime, Victims and Justice  Indigenous Politics and Policy  Psychology of Law and Justice  Community Crime Prevention

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Where does a degree in Social Science take you?

Jessica, Sudan (email sent from Thailand)

Jessica’s Story… After graduating I got an internship with an INGO that is American based. I…was flown to Cambodia where I managed a research program into the current trends of human trafficking.…I was able to design the research, hire a team of 6 to work on data gathering and I analyzed the data and wrote a report. The report was used by many other NGOs working in the field and also presented at a forum to those who work with government policy on the issue. …After this finished I was employed to work on another of our programs in Cambodia as a program manager in a schools feeding program …in partnership with the World Food Program. During this time I also cocoordinated relief distributed to families affected by some serious flooding in Cambodia and travelled to do some work in Burma. In April this year I was transferred to work in Darfur, Sudan. I have been working on a Women and Children’s protection program, funded by USAID with some18,000 beneficiaries. …In a few weeks I will be flying to attend a conference in Kenya. So it’s been an amazing journey. …I feel I have had so many great experiences in the work world which UQ had prepared me for! So thank you. UQ Open Day 2009

Angela, Canberra

From Angela… I joined the Australian Public Service as a Graduate in 2007….just recently moved into my third really interesting position as a policy analyst at the Indigenous Policy Unit, The Treasury (Commonwealth). …will be working on some pretty complex policy issues such as Indigenous health, education, child protection, remote families and communities, and employment through processes such as COAG and Northern Territory Emergency Response. Angela now works for the MJD Foundation, an organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life for Indigenous Australians and their families living with Machado Joseph Disease, in Arnhem Land and beyond. Angela is responsible for the management of the MJDF's grants, as well as the day to day management of key projects. UQ Open Day 2009

Dianne, Alice Springs

Dianne’s ‘office’... ….some photos taken at ‘the office’. The first is from a trip last week - when we reached Docker river about 10 kms from WA border. We travelled 1600 kms to 3 communities to discuss various issues such as tobacco use, Volatile Substance Abuse (petrol, glue sniffing etc) and Alcohol and Gunja use. Second, a huge lake in the middle of the desert (goes for kilometres and thousands of different birds make it their home), and third is at Alpurrurulam, a small town located 20k away from the QLD border. …My social science degree with UQ has opened up doors for me to work in the most amazing places (since completing my degree I have travelled throughout Australia for work). UQ Open Day 2009

Juvenile Justice Programs Officer, Brisbane

Working in juvenile justice... As you know, the field of criminal justice extends well beyond policing, courts and corrections. Restorative justice still is a key focus. It’s about offenders acknowledging harm, accepting responsibility, and redress for victims. ...Working on criminal justice can involve developing policies or programs such as Bail Support services for young offenders or reintegration programs. It may involve working directly with offenders on probation and parole, or evaluating programs, or doing research focused on finding evidence of what works in crime prevention and early intervention. There’s also a lot of interest in community policing – thinking about how communities can work with police, welfare and youth services to prevent crime. UQ Open Day 2009

Banthida, Laos

Combining Major Fields of Study I currently work for World Vision in Laos. I'm the Community Health Coordinator and I'm responsible for Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) project and the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) project and any other community health related projects. ECCD aims to improve maternal and child health and well-being….I'm now at the stage of mainstreaming ECCD in 32 villages across 7 Area Development Projects (ADPs) in the southern province of Savannakhet in Laos. We are also starting to introduce ECCD to 3 other provinces. …The knowledge, information and experience I gained from my studies in UQ has helped me immensely with my development work here in Laos. I really benefitted from the hands-on research, real world experience and analytical skills. UQ Open Day 2009

Susan, Brisbane (photos from South Africa)

Susan’s Studies Abroad… I came to Cape Town to study for a semester (through the UQ Abroad Program) as it seemed to be an opportunity to put into context much of what I had learned in my BSocSc/BA, majoring in Development and Peace and Conflict Studies. …During my time here I have taken courses at the University of Cape Town on South African politics, policy and administration, and gender, sexuality and politics. I have also undertaken an internship with a local NGO, the Southern African Media and Gender Institute (SAMGI), in which I worked on their "Xenophobia and Racism" project. … I have also been lucky enough to engage in considerable travel (both before and during my semester) through East Africa, Namibia and other parts of South Africa. These experiences have been amazing and invaluable, and have given me a lot to reflect on. Highlights of my travels are many, and include the warm freshwater of Lake Malawi, and the dreamland of the dunes in Sossuvlei, Namibia. UQ Open Day 2009

Amy, Brisbane and Dhaka

Amy’s Honours Experience… I’ve been researching a local food movement called ‘permablitzing’, which organises teams of volunteers to converge on backyards to build food producing gardens. I’ve been spending my weekends with a shovel in one hand, and a notebook in the other, speaking to volunteers about the benefits to their community of growing food locally. Honours has been a challenging but very rewarding year. I’ve been working alongside students researching topics as diverse as bin diving, community gardening, corporate social responsibility in mining, online video piracy, youth and conflict in East Timor, domestic violence, and indigenous identity in Chile. Now, I’m heading to Dhaka, Bangladesh, to take up the position of Research and Communications Officer with a local NGO. …looking forward to a new challenge! UQ Open Day 2009

Graduate with a Bachelor of Social Science, or Bachelor of Arts/Social Science  Core skills in research, writing, and analysis in the social sciences  Capacities for independent, self-directed work, team-work, consultation, community engagement and advocacy  Knowledge in one or more applied fields of study    

Development Health and Society Social and Public Policy Criminal Justice

 Possible fourth year of focused study at honours level