Sociology

If you are interested in people, you will be interested in sociology. We are all part of society, we are connected with each other and we are affected by the people around us. Sociology provides you with the mindset and the research tools to observe the social world, make connections, understand differences, norms, cultures or inequalities.

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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 study the core module, Societal Challenges in the Twenty First Century, plus another subject and Elective module.

Second Year

The second year involves training in Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods and modules in areas such as Gender, Sociological Theory, Sociology of Peace & Conflict, Sociology of the Environment and more.

Third Year

The third year provides the opportunity for an Internship or Study Abroad. There are also a range of substantive modules in areas such as Migration, Race and Ethnicity, Historical Sociology, Sociology of the Body and more.

Fourth Year

During the fourth year, students participate in a Research Project. There are also further specialised modules, such as War & Violence, Global Inequalities or Art and Social Change, plus Elective modules.

Assessment

Students attend lectures and participate in seminar discussions. They also undertake independent studies, including reading and writing about sociological issues. Assessment is a combination of continuous assessment and end-of-trimester written exams, but also includes more innovative types.

Internship Opportunities

In third year, students can apply for an optional paid internship for one trimester in a range of organisations in the public and private sector, which help to inform future career decisions through real-world experience.

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Destinations include countries such as Belgium, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, USA, Australia, China and South Korea. Students studying Sociology with German or Italian will study abroad for their third year.

Sociology gives an excellent foundation for a diverse set of careers in areas such as social research and policy analysis, journalism, media, community development, youth work, civil service, social data science or business. It also leads to a wide range of graduate study opportunities in the social sciences, law and business.

The School of Sociology offers a general MSc or MA in Sociology, MSc in Social Data Science, MSc in Comparative Social Change and an MSc Global Solutions.

In year 3 , students can apply for an optional paid internship (one trimester) in a range of organisations in the public and private sectors.

• Level 5/6 QQI-FET
• Open Learning Entry Route
• Mature Entry Route
• DARE Entry Route
• HEAR Entry Route
• University Access