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Wondering about the 'usefulness' of the humanities? This semester I'm teaching the Social & Political Sciences capstone in @UTSFass, in which students work on a major research project for an organisation (100 hours).
This is what my students have done and the sorts of jobs we train them for. A bunch of the students are in our combined @UTSLaw / @UTSFass program, and want to work in communications, policy and research.
One student has produced a report on the needs of supercentenarians (100 years +) living independently and in nursing homes. He delivered his findings to the Western Sydney based org this week, which was very well received.
Another student is working on a project for an NGO about how the media talks about refugees and how it impacts them, as well as the wider public. One of her peers in the subject is with another organisation, assessing how media reporting of refugees has changed over time.
A student is working on a project with a church, assessing how the organisation is implementing government recommendations — the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations — to prevent child abuse.
I have two students working on projects about the impact of gambling. One is looking at media reporting and if it includes the voices of those who have experienced harm from gambling. The other is looking at the impact of gambling advertising on the community via a survey.
One student who came into the subject a little late was able to turn the late start into a positive, and work on a report about medical misinformation and Covid-19!
Through the Climate Justice Research Centre at UTS, two students have prepared a report on the OHS impact on workers of the 2019-2020 bushfires, in terms of bushfire smoke. This has included collating data from the media, social media, unions, and government agencies.
And a few students are working for different organisations on justice issues involving First Nations communities. One is working on a major report on Aboriginal policing. Another on juvenile justice centres and the experience of young people in them.
And one student is working for a government department on an assessment of changing social attitudes, in relation to a controversial area of policy. There are more but you get the drift!
It is very rewarding to teach this sort of subject, and see the wonderful work students are able to deliver at the end of a social science degree. The courses skill up students who go on to do essential work of significance, working to build a better society for all.
