HSCO504 – Te Hapori o Aotearoa / Introduction to Society

Module code

HSCO504

Module title

Te Hapori o Aotearoa / Introduction to Society

Prescription

This module introduces students to key sociological concepts, perspectives and theories in order for them to develop a greater understanding of the social world in which they live. Students will develop knowledge and skills to identify and understand social problems and society, with a particular focus on power relationships, oppressive structures and social change. Students will also be introduced to issues concerning the government and political processes in Aotearoa New Zealand. The implications of social difference are examined from a personal and professional perspective. Students begin to apply sociological theory to practice contexts.

Programmes

HS1602

NZQA Level

Level 5

NZQA Credits

Delivery method

Web-Supported

Learning hours

Total learning hours: 300

Resources required

Learning Outcomes: 1. Discuss a range of sociological concepts, perspectives and theories and their application to understanding society and social issues.
2. Identify and describe a range of impacts that dominant discourses, including anti-oppressive practices, may have on social work and counselling relationships.
3. Identify cultural differences and cultural contexts in society and how they influence social work and counselling relationships with whnau/clients.
4. Explain government structures, legal systems and political processes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
5. Reflect upon own responses to difference and life experiences of others to develop self-awareness.
6. Explain concepts of social research.
Content: - The sociological imagination, epistemology, ideology
- Definitions and history of sociology
- Foundational Sociological concepts, perspectives and theories including but not restricted to Conflict Theory, Structural Functionalism and Symbolic Interactionism.
- Social problems - Private troubles vs. Public Problems
- Power relationships and oppressive structures in society
- Te Tiriti and New Zealand society
- Culture, ethnicity, and identity
- Gender, sexuality and identity
- Work and economic life
- Age and ability
- Religion
- Stratification and class
- Race and Racism
- Deviance and crime
- Politics, state and nation
- Research
- Exploration of own background
- Health and socio-economic consequences of difference
- Preparing for whanau/clients of different cultural contexts to one's own
- Definition and discussion of anti-oppressive-practice
- Exploration of what dominant discourse means and some current examples
Teaching and Learning Strategy: -Lecture
-Small Group Activities
-Tutorials
-Practice accounts
-Enquiry based activities
-DVD's, YouTube
-On-line, Moodle
-Inquiry based activities
Assessment Criteria: Assessment in this module is mixed mode. The application and assessment of transferable skills are integrated into the assessment tasks. To pass this module all assessments must be submitted and an overall pass mark of 50 is required. Students must also meet all the requirements of the competency based assessment tasks to be eligible for a final grade for this module. The final grade will be based on the marks from the achievement based tasks.

Paetahi Tumu Korero Bachelor of Counselling is an applied academic degree which includes the requirement that students demonstrate professional practice in a range of ways. This includes high levels of attendance and participation. To this end, students who do not meet the 80 attendance criteria (without approved reason) will fail the module.
Basic of Assessment: Test (2)
Key theories and concepts of sociology and social research. 20
Poster
Present a poster identifying government responses and perspectives to an issue.20
Personal journal response
5 journal entries linked to readings and class discussion.25
Social Issues essay
Choose a contemporary social problem (poverty, homelessness, diversity issues etc.). Discuss using 3 sociological lenses including one from a Maori worldview.35
Taetanga / 80 attendance
Has attended at least 80 of all classes.Puta / Pass
Nga Tukunga / Submission Component
All assessment are submitted.Puta / Pass