Social Sciences and Linguistics courses

Social Sciences and Linguistics offers a range of study options from open access courses through to PhD research. Explore a sample below.

FutureLearn open access online courses

• Society and Culture: A Sociological Introduction introduces the sociological perspective through an exploration of current social and cultural issues.
• What is Anthropology? introduces the history, theory and practice of anthropology as an academic discipline.
• Environment and Society explores how humans, and the societal structures we create are related to, and shape, the environment.
• Social Analysis: Key Perspectives in the Social Sciences examines key topics and perspectives in the social sciences.
• Applied Social Research Project provides grounding in advanced social research methods.
• Culture and Identity applies sociological theories to the study of culture and identity topics such as gender, sexuality, class, race and ethnicity.
• Indigenous People of the Contemporary World illuminates indigenous peoples' struggles for natural resources, sovereignty, and nationhood.
• Migration, Society and the Media investigates the social transformations framing internal and international migration across the world.

Undergraduate degree level courses

The courses below are taught on a rotation in the areas of Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics and Human Services in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Science as well as a number of other programs at the University of Newcastle. Please click the links for further details.

Honours degree level courses

Honours study in CLSHS areas provide an opportunity to add value to either your Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree by completing a fourth year of research oriented study that will be viewed by future employers as signalling your capacity to conduct high quality socio-cultural research and analysis. It enhances your competitive advantage for employment by allowing you to specialise in particular skills and knowledge.

Students who complete their Honours program with First Class results are encouraged to apply for HDR programs.

Recent projects undertaken by Honours students in this area include:

• A sociological exploration of the 'Mumpreneur'
• A study exploring women’s understandings of occupying public space through activist events
• Activism and community building: interaction and co-production of activism and community practices in the Australian anti-capitalist environmental movement
• Aussie rules and the local women’s league in Newcastle, NSW
• Being vegetarian in a contemporary rural context
• Exploring the cross-ideological encounters between eco-feminism and the sustainability paradigm through a transversalist analytical lens
• Female popular culture icons through the feminist gaze
• How do transgender and gender diverse perform their gender in higher education?
• Intergenerational consequences of childhood maltreatment and its correlation to parenting capacities
• It’s hard work, but it’s worth it: personal experiences of young mothers who engage with social media in their lives
• Performances of tribe in Australian cosplay
• Struggles for sustainability: what are the challenges for sustainable business and consumption?
• The impacts and implications of postings on Royal Australian Air Force families
• Wonder Woman: does this fictional superhero help or hinder the social project of feminism?
• Young adult friendships and vulnerability negotiation
• Digital and social media as a communication tool in families
• Indigenous languages of Australia and the Pacific
• Language Typology
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Bilingualism
• Applied Linguistics
• Linguistic Theory – Phonology, Syntax, Semantics

Postgraduate taught degree courses

The following courses feature in our Master of Social Change and Development.

• SOCA6100 International Health
• SOCA6190 Gender and Social Change
• SOCA6240 Project Design and Evaluation
• SOCA6571 Development and Social Change
• SOCA6590 Environmental Justice
• SOCA6640 Social Science Research Methods
• SOCA6670 Social Change & Development Research Project

We've launched a new Master of Translation Studies degree program, and teach a number of other postgraduate level courses such as:

• LING6010 Introduction to Syntax
• LING6020 Structure of English
• LING6030 Second Language Acquisition
• LING6040 Language Testing & Evaluation
• LING6311 Language and Mind
• LING6910 Foundation of Linguistics
• LING6930 Language and Meaning
• LING6950 Research PreparationLING6955 Research Project
• LING6955 Research Project

Higher Degrees by Research (HDR)

Our staff supervise a range of research thesis topics for Ph.D. and M.Phil. degrees in their specialist areas of expertise. Find further details on applying to the University of Newcastle’s higher research degrees.

Degree applications are accepted at any time, however scholarship applications are typically due in early September. We encourage students to discuss criteria and topics with their potential supervisors well in advance of their application.

Research strengths

Researchers in CLSHS have identified strengths in a broad range of areas in Sociology, Anthropology, Linguistics and Human Services. PhD and Masters by Research students will benefit from a supportive network of world-class researchers. The University of Newcastle's Sociology is rated as 'world standard' by the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). It was also ranked in the top 200 globally by QS World University Rankings by Subject.

HDR areas

Project enquiries are welcome for all related topics outlined by the supervisor's research areas which can be found on their profile pages. We encourage students to discuss criteria and topics with their potential supervisors well in advance of their application.