The BA (Hons) Social Science is a multi-disciplinary three year course. In times of rapid social and economic change, this programme offer students the opportunity to understand and critically analyse contemporary Irish society and Ireland’s place in an increasingly globalised world.
This course draws on core Social Science disciplines such as; Social Policy, Sociology, Psychology, Economics and Politics, with an emphasis on Social Research and Social Studies in Context.
The implications of and responses to social problems for marginalised and vulnerable members of society are central to this programme.
Students are offered an opportunity to take elective modules in Semesters, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Students may elect from a wide range of modules such as Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development; Social Care, Psychology & Crime, Probation and Youth Work and Law.
The programme is structured to provide students with the opportunity to gain a solid academic foundation in a range of related disciplines. The programme is also structured to enable students to develop their critical understanding of the applied nature of social science, and the importance of social research in critical inquiry and analysis of contemporary society.
The programme emphasises the importance of inter-disciplinarity. These pillars of learning (theory, application, research and integration) are the focus of this programme.
Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
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Introduction to Psychology | Introduction to Social Psychology |
Social Policy and Welfare | Irish Social Policy |
Introduction to Sociological Problems | Sociology of Contemporary Ireland |
Critical and Creative Thinking | The Development of the Irish Welfare State |
Principles of Microeconomics | Principles of Macroeconomics |
Introduction to Politics | Introduction to Research |
Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
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Social Research Methods | Sociology of Gender |
Foundations of Ethics/Philosophy | Social Ethics |
Social Policy Processes | Understanding Sociological Perspectives |
Class and Social Mobility in Irish Society | Social Policy and Ideology |
Economic Policy Issues | Developmental Psychology |
Elective Modules | Elective modules |
Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
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Social Studies in Context 1 | Dissertation: Social Science |
Dissertation Proposal: Social Science | Modern Social Theory |
Irish Politics and Government | Social Studies in Context 2 |
EU and Globalisation | Comparing Social Policies |
Ireland and Ethnic Minorities | Elective module |
Elective Module |
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
The BA (Hons) Social Science offers graduates a wide variety of career opportunities such as Social Research, Policy Analysis, Human Resources, Administration and Social Work in Government and Non-governmental agencies. Some career options require further postgraduate qualifications and this programme provides an ideal pathway into a range of postgraduate options.
Graduates may proceed to postgraduate study, either research or taught, at WIT or other their-level colleges.