BA (Hons) Social Science

Overview

Whether your interest is in progressing towards a career in areas such as youth and community work, professional social research, policy analysis/development, working with disadvantaged and marginalised individuals, or you are interested in a broad-based undergraduate education, the BA (Hons) in Social Science (Level 8, 180 ECTS) is the degree for you. This degree offers a range of skills and understandings that prepares students for employment in various roles in both non-governmental organisations and the voluntary sector as well as in the public sector.

Social Science is the interdisciplinary study of human society. This honours undergraduate degree is designed around five core areas of social science; Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Social Policy and Research. As well as gaining a strong, evidence-based understanding of these interesting and inter-related subjects, you will develop useful, work-ready skills such as flexibility, teamwork, critical thinking, creativity and interpersonal communication – all highly valued by employers. You will develop more specialised expertise in areas such as group facilitation, campaigning, research, advocacy and public engagement as well as policy analysis, questionnaire and interview-based social research. This programme will provide you with a valuable platform for further research and specialist postgraduate education, improve promotion prospects in your current job, or help you find exciting new employment opportunities. Graduates of this programme are also eligible to apply for various Postgraduate programmes at DBS.

Programme Objectives

You will be challenged to think in a rigorous and scientific way about society and the social processes that feed into how society operates at an institutional, political and individual level. From the first year to the final year of the programme, there is a consistent emphasis on guiding, training and upskilling learners to carry out their own research and to be aware of how structures and special processes affect our daily lives. Learners will be encouraged to enquire further into this and conduct their own research in order to critically explore, evaluate and challenge the world around them. Learners will be well equipped to work in a wide range of roles and careers, in the public and private sector. The BA (Hons) in Social Science will also provide you with pathways for postgraduate study (Masters and PhDs) in areas such as Addiction Studies, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Criminology, Criminal Justice, Global Health, Gender Studies, Human Rights, Mediation and Conflict Resolution, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Public Policy, Race, Ethnicity and Conflict, Social Work, Social Justice, Social Policy and Social Research to name a few. In some instances, conversion courses may need to be undertaken to allow progression to Masters level.

Teaching and Assessment

The programme provides a flexible, active, peer-led, experiential and reflective learning environment for students. While modules will be delivered in a hybrid mode through a mix of workshops, practical sessions, tutorials, lectures, and sociological experiments, emphasis will be placed on allowing students to examine the exercise problem descriptions and try possible solutions in the workshops, with guided individual feedback.
Assessment takes a variety of forms, including learning journals, case studies using real-world examples, project work (group/individual) and formal examinations.

Course Content

The BA (Hons) in Social Science has the following content and is completed over 4 years part-time:

Stage 1

• Foundations in Social Psychology
• The Sociological Imagination
• Introduction to Social Research
• Psychology through the Lifespan 1
• Social Policy and Law for Social Care 1
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Foundations in Criminology

Stage 2

• Economic Sociology
• Criminology in Action – Youth Justice
• Campaigning, Advocacy, and Public Engagement
• Interpersonal and Group Communication Skills
• Advanced Social Research
• Contemporary Inequalities
• Politics in the Modern World
• Social Psychology
• Psychology in Action

Stage 3

• Contemporary Criminology
• Cyberpsychology
• Organisational Psychology
• Social Science Research Project
• Sociology of Families, Intimacies and Personal Life
• Contemporary Social Policy in Ireland
• Environment and Society
• Global Issues

Structure

This programme will run two evenings per week over four academic years. The programme is divided into three levels and students take the programme in its entirety.

Year 1 provides a solid and comprehensive understanding of the foundational concepts of interdisciplinary field of Social Science, whilst also providing transversal skills embedded in a mix of unique modules.

Year 2 covers content in which the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in the Year 1 are developed and applied.

Year three focuses on contemporary subjects. Students also undertake a research project under the guidance of a supervisor.

Career Opportunities

The interdisciplinary nature of this programme will enable students to apply their new knowledge in a variety of contexts and in different sectors of employment. As a response to the technological changes and new ways of working, the digital communication and IT skills components have been strengthened in the programme.

Students career choice will be influenced by their specialisation. The range of skills fostered will enable graduates to take advantage of opportunities to progress in a career within a wide range of areas such as the voluntary sector, the social professions, business, the financial sector and many more.

Some of the employment opportunities include:

• Youth Justice Worker
• Community welfare officer
• Community worker/community development worker
• Education Programme Co-Ordinator
• Equality Officer
• Advice Worker
• Disability Officer
• Press Officer
• Communication Officer
• Project Coordinator
• Project Manager
• Project Worker

Fees

The Course Fees for the BA (Hons) in Social Science are €870 (1 x 10 credit module) / €420 (1 x 5 credit module) per annum.

For a full list of part-time undergraduate arts degree fees click here. You can also contact our admissions team who will also be able to advise on the payment options available to our students.

Visit Us

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about your course of interest. The open day will give you the opportunity to receive one on one advice and direction from leading academics in your chosen subject area, meet current students and also have your questions answered on entry requirements, student support and the admissions process. Find out when our next open event is taking place. The Admissions Office is located in our Aungier Street campus and you are welcome to visit the college to speak with a member of our admissions team from Monday to Fridays, 8:45am – 5:15pm. Alternatively, you can contact us by email.