The Diploma in Social Studies is an interdisciplinary programme designed to introduce you to the social sciences. You will have an opportunity to study sociology, social policy, social psychology, social philosophy and economics. This diversity of disciplines allows you to develop a critical awareness of the key issues that impact on everyday life in contemporary Irish society. In addition, the variety of topics introduced will equip you with the capacity for divergent thinking – a highly desirable attribute in the current economic climate.

Click on any module code for a detailed module description.

Irish society has undergone rapid social change in recent years and the Diploma in Social Studies aims to provide you with an in-depth knowledge of the key trends from a social science perspective. In the first year of the course you are introduced to the key concepts and perspectives in the social sciences. In particular, you will be encouraged to apply sociological concepts to aspects of everyday life; explain change and development as an economist would; appreciate how social psychology explains aspects of human behaviour and the potential to analyse social problems offered by social policy: and suggest improvements to services such as health, housing, education and income maintenance. The Introduction to Academic Writing module will give you the opportunity to hone their writing, research and referencing skills.

In the second year of the course you will extend your knowledge of sociology, social policy and social philosophy. The Research Skills module enables you to become familiar with research design and research methodologies so you can select an issue that interests you, and working in groups, compile a report based on your research findings.

Year 1 Modules:

• AD1868: Introduction to Academic Writing (5 credits)
  This module will focus on the key skills required for completing academic assignments. It will provide opportunities for practice in areas such as structure, paragraphing, coherence, relevance, referencing and developing arguments.
• AP1857: Social Psychology (5 credits)
  This module will introduce key concepts of social psychology. It will examine the ways in which people influence one another, the effects that groups have on members and how peoples' attitudes can be influenced by those around them. Other areas of interest to social psychologists, such as competition and co-operation, conformity and deviance and prejudice and discrimination, will also be explored.
• EC1800: Economics (5 credits)
  This module will consider the question, what is economics? It will also focus on economic analysis of issues such as unemployment, poverty, economic growth and the impact of market structures on consumer welfare.
• SC1801: Sociology 1 (5 credits)
  This module will examine the development of sociological theory introducing key perspectives and concepts. Other key areas of interest to sociologists such as culture and identity, stratification and class, poverty and social exclusion will also be explored.
• SS1821: Social Policy 1 (10 credits)
  This module will explore key social policy concepts in order to clarify the principles, aims and objectives of social policy as an academic discipline and trace the development of social policy in Ireland from the Poor Law to the emergence of a welfare state.

Year 2 Modules:

• PH2802: Social Philosophy (5 credits)
  This module will provide an introduction to key terms, questions and various theories in social philosophy such as ethics, politics, rights and social inclusion.
• SC2801: Sociology 2 (5 credits)
  Gender, ethnicity and migration, the family, education, health and illness.
• SS2804: Research Skills in Social Studies (10 credits)
  This module will enable students to develop an understanding of research design and methodology, research ethics, data collection and analysis, oral and presentation skills.
• SS2815: Social Policy 2 (10 credits)
  This module will focus on (a) the historical context, provision, and delivery of social services such as health, housing, education and income maintenance and (b) contemporary issues such as homelessness, multiculturalism and poverty and social exclusion.

There are no written examinations for this course. All work is assessed on a continuous basis through a combination of essays, journal of learning, group research project and oral presentation.