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The PPE provides a thorough grounding in all three disciplines that are core to the social sciences. The programme is quite structured at first, but allows more choice and more specialisation with each successive year. This programme provides both a well-rounded education in philosophy, politics and economics, and every opportunity for you to determine for yourself which subject or combination of subjects you would like to specialise in.

First Year

Students are introduced to: political science and political theory, to micro and macro-economics, and to ethics and critical thinking. Students will take the core module Introducing PPE. They will also learn about researching and writing essays.

Second Year

Students will study the relationship between individuals and the state, how to analyse and work with economic data, and the philosophical principles underlying the social sciences.

Third Year

Students continue to deepen their understanding of all three disciplines, while paying more attention to the overlaps between them, such as political economy and critical theory. Students may apply to study abroad in third year.

Fourth Year

There is much more choice among specialised option modules in the final year. Students also have the option of continuing in the three-discipline version, or of concentrating on only two disciplines.

Assessment

Generally, assessment will be by take-home essay and by exam-based essay in Philosophy and Politics, and by project and a combination of mid-term and end-of-term assignments in economics. Innovative online assessment will also be used throughout. There will be an option to write a final-year research project.

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Sociology seeks to explain how people relate with each other, how hidden structures play an important role in everyday life and how society shapes the way individuals behave. It is about why individuals organise themselves into groups such as families, communities, social classes, social networks, religions, genders, neighbourhoods or nations. But it is also about how these groups come about, what they mean and how they change over time. An essential part of your studies will be the acquisition of a sociological toolkit that includes both theoretical approaches and research methods to study society.

First Year

The first year includes a general Introduction to Sociology, the Foundations of Sociological Thinking, a view on Contemporary Ireland and the basics of Research Methods and Design. All first year social sciences students also study the core module, Societal Challenges in the Twenty First Century, plus another subject, plus an Elective module.

Second Year

The second year involves training in Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods and modules in areas such as Gender, Sociological Theory, Analytical Sociology, Animals and Human Society and more.

Third Year

The third year provides the opportunity for an Internship or Study Abroad. We also offer a range of experiential learning modules including Broadcasting Sociology or Volunteering & Community Experiences. There are also range of substantive modules in areas such as Migration, Historical Sociology, Lying & Deception and more.

Fourth Year

During the fourth year, students select either an Advanced Quantitative or Advanced Qualitative Research Project module. There are also further specialised modules, such as War & Violence, Sociology of Nations or Punishment & Social Control, plus Elective modules.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

The course explores key social issues affecting societies in the European Union, the USA and East Asia: poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental illness, social stratification, criminal justice, globalisation, gender equality, sexualities and reproductive health, childhood and children’s services, and tax and welfare systems. You will learn about how policy makers, in Ireland and across the world, have responded to these societal challenges. A strong emphasis is placed on studying qualitative and quantitative research methods. You will attend lectures and seminars and engage in project-based learning, instruction, and independent study with experienced academic staff and with input from policy-makers and industry.

First Year

You will undertake compulsory modules in social policy and sociology. Students are not expected to have any prior knowledge of these disciplines; the first year modules will provide you with a comprehensive introduction.

Second & Third Year

Alongside compulsory modules in social policy and sociology you will select optional modules from one of three career orientated pathways, which will refine and develop your skills:

There are three Pathways available to you as follows;

1. Social Work and Social Professions

This pathway provides you with a strong foundation for professional social work or social service careers, in addition to careers in Counselling, Social Care Management, and the Probation Service.

2. Society and Public Service

You will be introduced to social policy topics covering a wide range of social and public services and modules in public sociology. This pathway prepares you for a wide range of Master’s programmes and employment in public services, NGOs, community development, youth work, social enterprise and public policy advocacy.

3. Work, Organisations and People

You will combine social policy and sociology with modules from organisational psychology and industrial relations. This pathway prepares you for study in a wide range of human organisation orientated Master’s programmes and for employment in business and personnel management, industrial relations, marketing and corporate responsibility and governance.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

Undergraduate modules in Social Justice address themes such as global poverty and inequality; gender and sexual inequality; human rights and social justice; inequality in Irish society; childhood inequality; egalitarian social movements; racism; social justice movements; political economy and social justice. Over the course of your four-year programme, you will advance your knowledge about the key social issues of the 21st century, while developing your skills in relation to critical thinking, analysis, research, problem solving and communication. An emphasis on participatory learning means that your studies will take place within a supportive and stimulating environment, where you will have the opportunity to engage with like-minded people who share your interest in social justice.

First Year

In fi rst year, you will undertake four foundational modules in Social Justice::

• Social Justice Perspective
• Exploring Gender
• Global justice
• Inequality and Social Justice in Irish Society.

Second Year

In second year, the social justice modules will develop your knowledge of racism, political economy, gender, power and politics, as well as your understanding of human rights and social justice.

Third Year

In third year, you can choose to study the ‘experiential’ modules ‘Social Justice & the City’ and ‘Social Justice Movements’ and a range of additional modules on key Social Justice issues. Students can apply to study abroad in Year three or undertake an internship.

Fourth Year

Fourth year provides the opportunity for you to enhance your research skills by engaging in a research-based module. Students will also have an opportunity to build on their knowledge of Social Justice, and of key societal issues, choosing from a range of modules addressing issues such as labour market inequality; gender, war and violence; and childhood and global justice.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the Social Justice programme, including essays, reports, presentations, reflective writing, problem-based learning, projects, examinations and critical commentaries.

For detailed information on subject content click here.

First Year

• Social Psychology
• Brain & Behaviour
• Psychology: Key skills & concepts
• Introduction to Psychology
• Introductory Research Methods
• Perception & Cognition
• Introduction to Applied Psychology
• Elective module
• Plus added optional modules

Second & Third Year

• Behavioural Neuroscience
• Child & Adolescent Development
• Visual Cognition
• Psychology Labs
• Personality & Human Intelligence
• Independent Research Project
• Option modules within Psychology
• Elective modules.

Students spend up to 20 hours per week attending lectures and tutorials. In second year, you will conduct a series of laboratory practicals, while in third year, you will carry out an independent research project under the direction of one of the academic staff.

A combination of end-of-semester written examinations and continuous assessment is used to evaluate performance.

For detailed information on subject content click here.