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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
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The Sophister years
The choice of subjects available in the Sophister (third and
fourth) years typically include:
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Ageing and dementia
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Comparative welfare states
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Crime and social policy
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Economic sociology of Europe
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Economics of less developed countries
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European public policy
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European Union politics
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Families and family policy
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Gender and popular culture
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Government and politics of the United States
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Irish politics
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Poverty, inequality and redistribution
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Public interest law
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Researching society
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Social theory
Many of these modules deal specifically with Ireland and with
European society. In the final year you will research and write a
dissertation on a topic of your choice.
Assessment
A combination of continuous assessment, class presentations
and written examinations is generally used.
Career opportunities
The range of employment opportunities in the area of social and
public policy is expanding all the time. The B.A. in Sociology
and social policy is a particularly relevant degree for those
interested in pursuing a career in the formulation of policy in the
public service, community development and voluntary/non-profit
sectors. Graduates of the programme are also employed as
social researchers, policy analysts and journalists.
Postgraduate opportunities
The course provides a solid foundation for specialist
postgraduate courses, in the areas of social research, social
policy and social work.
Did you know?
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Research centres focussing on Ageing, Children,
Intellectual disability, and Drug and alcohol policy are
situated within the School of Social Work and Social
Policy.
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In addition, one or more School members have
research interests and expertise in the following
areas: Crime and social policy; Poverty and social
security; Housing and homelessness; Family policy;
Immigration; Lone parents; History of social policy;
Social work.
Further information
and
Tel: +353 1 896 2001
E-mail:
Course Office:
Tel: +353 1 896 1840
E-mail:
Student Profile
Aoife Ryan-Christensen
“I chose the degree in Sociology & social policy because
it is highly inter-disciplinary; alongside the core subjects
of Sociology and social policy, students are offered a
wide range of subject choices within Economics, Political
science, Law and languages. I would recommend this
course for anyone who is interested in current affairs/
politics, society, and learning about the underlying
structures of how countries are run.
The social policy courses range from an overview of Irish
social policies in the Freshmen (first two) years, to a wider
comparative perspective in the Sophister (final two) years.
An important part of the degree is teaching students how
to conduct research. This involves modules covering
qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as
modules on statistics (SPSS).
The course challenges you to take existing theory and
apply it to what you see around you in society and in the
world, never failing to remain relevant. The scope of the
course enables each student to take a very personal
approach to the learning process and to follow their own
interests within and across individual subjects – ultimately
working towards and shaping their choices for the final
year dissertation. Throughout the four years of the degree,
the focus is narrowed to allow students to specialise and
discover their forte within the fields of Sociology and social
policy.”
