BA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY

First Year

First Arts in Sociological and Political Studies

The First Year programme in Sociological and Political Studies provides an understanding of major political and social developments taking place in Ireland and the wider world. It is a foundation for the study of Sociological and Political Studies in subsequent years while also providing students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge of core ideas in Sociology and Political Science.

General Description

Despite the challenges of global diversity and the pervasiveness of conflict, human beings are also disposed to act co-operatively and collectively, seeking solutions to problems. A core theme in sociology and political science concerns how and why societies change, and what alternatives might be possible? This course encourages students to explore the links between sociological and political perspectives in relation to real world issues and puzzles. Key ideas about social and political processes of power and influence at the level of state, society and individual are introduced. The social and political forces of conformity and conflict, of regulation and resistance are examined. Sociological and political ideas concerning modernity, democracy, freedom, culture, capitalism, identity, diversity, religion and the many problems that beset modern societies, such as crime and deviance, inequality and poverty are introduced. Students will have the opportunity to study how the social and political landscape is formed and transformed, not only in regard to political parties, government and state, but also in terms of gender, race, class and religion in Ireland and elsewhere. The impact of social movements and ideologies in the context of key challenges in the 21st century are also considered, such as cultural pluralism, the politics of climate change, and conflicting conceptions of globalisation. Students critically and practically engage with these and other debates about the personal, political and global challenges of living in modernity and searching for the ’good society’. The course is taught by a wide range of School staff committed to linking research and scholarship to teaching.

Course Modules

The First Year Programme in Sociological and Political Studies is composed of three modules of equal weighting. Two modules are lecture based and one is seminar based with small groups of students working on weekly assignments and essays. The lecture based modules are examined by end of semester examinations and the seminar module is examined by continuous assessment/essays.

Lecture Modules:
Semester 1: Introduction to Politics and Sociology (5 ECTS)
Semester 2: Key Ideas in Sociology and Politics (5 ECTS)

Seminar Module:
Semester 1 and 2: Problems in Sociology and Politics (5 ECTS)

Lecture course: 3 hours per week
Seminar course: 1 hour per week
Recommended student independent study hours: 5 hours per week.

Signing Up for First Year Seminars

The registration system for SP160 Seminars is now available. To read the instructions, click here.

To download the SP160 seminar registration form, click here.

Student Handbook

To download the First Year Student Handbook 2012-13 (long version), click here.

To download the First Year Student Handbook 2012-13 (summary version), click here.

Lecture Timetable

To download the First Year Lecture timetable for semester 1, 2012-13, click here.

To download the First Year Lecture Timetable for semester 2, 2012-13, click here.

First Year School Mentoring System

To download the Mentoring Registration form, click here.

Contact Details

Send general queries about 1st year to socpol1banuigalway.ie.

Vesna Malesevic 
First Year Co-ordinator
Office: 324 Aras Moyola
Telephone: 353 (0)91 495014
Email: vesna.malesevicnuigalway.ie

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