SSPS4402: Semester 1, 2025

Units SSPS4402 Semester 1 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

SSPS4402: Philosophy of Social Science Research

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

What exists in the world? What, and how, can we know about what exists in the world? In this unit, we explore these fundamental questions about being and knowing in the context of debates about philosophy and methodology in the social sciences. We examine how these debates about being and knowing shape and inform decisions about research and research design (methodology). We further explore the politics of knowing and knowledge production, thinking otherwise about knowledge production and its cultivation. We also explore the possibilities for thinking beyond existing debates, focusing on debates about biases of methodologies, Indigenous knowledge, and decolonisation of the social sciences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Political Economy
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	144 credit points including FASS3999 or equivalent
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Beatriz Carrillo Garcia, beatriz.carrillogarcia@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Oral presentation Deliver a 10 minute presentation and facilitate class discussion	30%	Multiple weeks Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 May 2025	1,000 words (equivalent) / 10 min
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Reading diary Notes on weekly readings, submitted in any 5 weeks, reflective	15%	Multiple weeks Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 May 2025	5 x 200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Write up presentation Submit research notes for oral presentation prior to relevant class	20%	Multiple weeks Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	1,000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Positionality paper Draft positionality paper	0%	Week 05 Due date: 28 Mar 2025 at 23:59	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Short Essay Respond to an essay question in final class of semester	35%	Week 13 Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Reading diary 5 x 200 words - submit reading notes based on weekly readings for class, can be submitted during any 5 weeks of semester (15%)
Positionality statement - 500 words, to be written in class during week 2 [pass/fail]
Oral pesentation of 10 min duration (1,000 equivalent) and facilitate class discussion (30%)
Write-up of oral presentation research notes - submitted before class - 1000 words (20%)
Essay - approx 1000 words, to be written during the last class of semester (1hour), reflecting on materials throughout the unit (30%)

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85-100	Exceptional
Distinction	75-84	Very high standard
Credit	65-74	Good standard
Pass	50-64	Acceptable standard
Fail	0-49	Does not meet learning outcomes to an acceptable standard

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

As per Arts Faculty Guidelines, 5% per day late

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Knowledge creation in historical and sociopolitical context	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Reflexivity and positionality	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Positivism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Poststructuralism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Critical realism	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Decolonising Knowledge, Methods and Methodologies - Introductions	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Decolonising Knowledge, Methods and Methodologies 2	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Decolonising Knowledge, Methods and Methodologies 3	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Decolonising Knowledge, Methods and Methodologies 4	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Decolonising Knowledge, Methods and Methodologies 5	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Decolonising Knowledge, Methods and Methodologies 6	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Reflexivity revisited	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	The future of social sciences knowledge production	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Explain the roles of and relationship between, theory, methodology and research design in different types of social science.
LO2. Identify and defend the ontological assumptions that students bring to research.
LO3. Articulate the epistemological position that informs their research.
LO4. Articulate and criticise historical and contemporary debates, and on-going controversies, about knowledge production in the social sciences, especially in relation to decolonisation.
LO5. Coherently articulate how their social positionality influences their ontology and epistemological position.
LO6. Develop key research skills including critical reading, note-taking, oral presentation and reflexive practices.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessment has been re-designed. Assessment writing load has been reduced in response to student feedback, and to extend class time (3 hours). The addition of the reading diary will require students to keep up regularly with the reading throughout semester, with some flexibility for students to choose in which weeks they will submit their diary entries. This assessment task will help students to achieve all of the learning outcomes, by enabling them to articulate and critique key debates in the philosophy of social science, and will especially support LO6. The positionality paper has been retained but reduced to 500 words and will no longer be graded. This is to promote the development of a reflexive practice (LO6), and will also support and demonstrate LO5. Both the positionality paper and the final essay will be written in class, again to reduce assessment load, and in response to student stress in 2024 due to having many heavily weighted assessments due at the same time. The presentation and write up are consistent with 2024 and will support achievement of all LOs, especially LO1, LO4 and LO6. The final essay will allow students to demonstrate LOs 1-4. Please outline here the pedagogical thinking behind the unt, noting in particular how the assessments relate to the learning outcomes and level of the unit. Review and Development This unit has been developed through reflective teaching practices supported by student feedback in an informal online mid semester survey, USS results and an informal discussion with the unit coordinator in 2024. This material fed into the unit coordinator's reflections, and was fed back to the teaching team and chairs of discipline. The unit coordinator also engaged in several discussions with the Honours Coordinator and key teaching staff. Finally, the unit coordinator has also engaged with the Education Innovation team, and in particular, the Universal Design for Learning/ designing for diversity team, to discuss plans and seek advice.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

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