BA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY

Second Year

Second Arts in Sociological and Political Studies

The Second Year programme in Sociological and Political Studies builds on the work on political and social processes and ideas laid down in First Year. It establishes a core understanding of traditions of social and political ideas; examines current political developments in Europe; and lays the foundations of methods for social and political scientists. This year also broadens its scope by introducing choices for students, who select one of two options each semester.

General Description

The course on Classical Social Thought critically examines theories put forward in the history of sociology which are still influential today – notably those by Marx, Weber and Durkheim – in seeking to comprehend social change and profound questions about human behaviour. Topics range across the study of society itself, class and the division of labour, the state and democratic politics, and the nature of culture, religion and ideology. The course on European Politics interrogates strategic changes since the end of the Cold War, the re-unification of Germany, then some forms of European nationalism; it goes on to examine what different European countries show about developments in democracy and threats to it.

One optional course in Semester I concerns ’Comparative Themes’ connected with international inequality, migration and labour, especially in Latin America. Beginning at a household level, how do people confront challenges arising from the social production of inequalities, and how does this relate to the growth of ’informal’ labour in different political contexts? The alternative option is a course on International Relations, comparing explanatory frameworks dealing with relations between and across states and other organisations and groups, against a background of ’globalisation’. Topics include security, conflict and war, human rights, the global sex trade and the question of humanitarian intervention.

In Semester II, the course on Modern Political Thought analyses the political philosophy that has shaped, and is shaping, the modern world. It concentrates in particular on the themes of political obligation and justice, especially in the work of Hobbes, Rousseau, Mill and Rawls. The Methods course explores qualitative approaches such as participant observation, interviewing, visual methods, or focus groups; students are encouraged to take a critical and creative approach to issues surrounding the interpretation and writing of research. In the quantitative section of the course, students are introduced to the basic requirements of survey research, including issues of operationalisation and sampling.

One optional course in Semester II is Political Sociology, which introduces both classical and contemporary issues in the study of the relations between society and politics, and politics and society. Questions of socio-political order are addressed, with theories of the state and of political cultures, as well as war, violence, legitimacy, authority, ideology, civil society and citizenship. The other option is the course on Social Issues and Policy Responses. This examines the history, current state and possible future direction of policy responses to issues such as childhood, adolescence, youth and one-parent families. The course also explores the practice implications of policy provision and the role of social work and community interventions with respect to issues such as health, housing, and the asylum system.

In these courses, students are encouraged to acquire and use central ideas in their subject, understand links between political science and sociology, and approach pressing issues related to understanding and addressing problems in the social and political world.

Staff teaching these subjects are all working in research relevant to their courses, and encourage active and critical engagement by students.

Course Modules and Delivery

The Second Year Programme in Sociological and Political Studies is composed of six modules of equal weighting. These are all delivered via a combination of lectures (two per week) and seminars, in which students discuss key questions relating to lecture topics and write essays connected with each of their lecture courses. Assessment thus combines examination and coursework, including work in computer labs for the SPSS component of the Methods course.

Second Year Modules

Semester 1

SP212 Classical Social Thought (5ECTS) (Core Course)
SP216 European Politics (5ECTS) (Core Course)

  Plus EITHER

SP226 Comparative Themes in Society, Politics & Culture (5ECTS)

  OR

SP234 International Relations (5ECTS)

Semester 2

SP215 Modern Political Thought (5 ECTS) (Core course)
SP220 Methods for Social & Political Science (5 ECTS) (Core course)

  Plus EITHER

SP219 Political Sociology (5 ECTS)

  OR

SP235 Social Issues and Policy Responses SP235 (5 TS)

Recommended student independent study hours: 5 hours per week per course.

Student Handbook

To download the Student Handbook for 2012-2013, click here.

Timetables and Forms

To download the 2nd Year Introductory and Core Lecture Semester 1 Timetable 2012-13, click here.

To download the 2nd Year Semester 2 Timetable 2012-13, click here.

To download the 2nd Year Semester 2 Essay and Discussion Topics document for 2012-13, click here.

Contact Details

Michael Donnelly
Second Year Co-ordinator
Office: 304 Aras Moyola
Telephone: 00 353 91 493267
Email: michael.donnellynuigalway.ie

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