The BA (Hons) Social Science is a multi-disciplinary three-year course. In times of rapid social and economic change, this programme offers 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.
Special Feature of BA (Hons) in Social Science Course
Students are offered an opportunity to take elective modules in Semesters, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Students may select from a wide range of modules such as (but not limited to) Personal & Professional Development; Social Care, Organisational Studies. Probation, Policing and the Police, and Sociology of Deviance.
If you are open-minded, interested in tackling some of the key issues of our time, and want to develop skills to think differently about and understand our complex world – then Social Science is for you!
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.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Social Psychology
Social Policy, Poverty and Social Exclusion
Irish Social Policy
Introduction to Sociological Problems
Developmental Psychology
Critical Thinking and Academic Skills
Development of the Irish Welfare State
Irish Society and the Media
Ireland: Race, Nation, Ethnicities
Introduction to politics in the Irish context
Introduction to Research
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Social Research Methodologies
Dissertation Proposal
Foundations of Ethics: Philosophical and Theological
Macroeconomic Environment
Citizenship, Social Justice and Rights
Modern Social Theory
Classical Social Theory
Sociology of Gender
Economics of the Market
The Politics of Welfare
Elective Modules
Elective modules
Year 3
Semester 5
Semester 6
Data Analysis in Social Research
Comparing Social Policies
Dissertation 1 Social Science
Dissertation 2 Social Science
Psychology and Crime
Economic Sociology
Social Studies in Context 1
Social Ethics
The EU and Globalisation
Social Studies in Context 2
Elective Module
Elective module
Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Social Science
2 subjects: H5 4 subjects: O6/H7 English or Irish: O6/H7 Mathematics: O6/H7
Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Social Science
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.
Follow on Study for Social Science Graduates
Graduates may proceed to postgraduate study, either research or taught, at SETU Waterford or other their-level colleges.
BA (Hons) in Social Science Career Opportunities
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.
Completion of a level 8 programme will also enable students to undertake taught Masters programmes or Masters degrees by research at SETU Waterford or other third-level colleges
