Social Science

TheSocial Science programme from University College Corkwas established in 2005 and is a four-year advanced programme which provides the opportunity for experienced professionals based in public sector agencies, voluntary/community organisations, educational institutions and international non-governmental organisations.

The Social Science programme from University College Cork is underpinned by a number of key themes which run throughout the four years and are reflected in the modules offered:

• Conducting social research: from design to dissemination. The focus here is on qualitative and quantitative research methods and skills as well as the experience and politics/ethics of conducting social research.

• Social policy debates and processes. Contemporary social policy debates are engaged with in order to strengthen students’ analytical skills in critically evaluating policy-making processes and outcomes.

• Social justice. What does the creation of a more socially just and equitable society mean and entail? The programme addresses this question by examining ideas of social justice and how these are applied in professional practice, policy debates and research.

• Integrating research in organisational contexts. The application of research in organisations receives repeated attention in the modules offered in this programme.

Career

Professionals working in the above areas are increasingly being expected to ground their practice and decision–making in evidence from research and evaluation. The DSocSc programme provides participants with the opportunity to:

• Gain a deeper understanding of theoretical frameworks underpinning the social sciences and social policy and examine how these can bring insights to their own practice and organisation.

• Develop skills in qualitative and qualitative and quantitative research design and methodologies in order to produce reliable primary data, and be able to analyse and critically evaluate primary and secondary data.

• Identify the roles of research and evaluation within organisations and apply existing research findings to issues emerging in the workplace and other relevant contexts.

• Demonstrate intellectual/professional leadership through the use of research as a method of developing organisations and service provision.

Courses include:

• Philosophies of Social Science

• Research Methods and Skills 1: Qualitative

• Social Policy Debates and Processes

• Research Methods and Skills 2: Quantitative

• The Politics and Ethics of Social Research