DCU - Undergraduate
BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation

Dublin, Ireland

DEGREE TYPE

DURATION

4 years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Key Summary

About: DCU’s BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation explores how culture, media and politics shape society. You’ll study cultural analysis, media and technology, and national and international political systems. You can finish in three years or choose a four-year route with study abroad or an INTRA placement. The programme includes placements and internships and builds skills in critical thinking, digital literacy, research, communication and creativity. Keywords: cultural studies, media studies, political science, innovation, social research.

Career Outcomes: The degree builds future-focused problem solving, communication, digital literacy, ethical awareness and empathy. Graduates enter digital and traditional media, public relations, marketing, politics, policy development, government and NGOs, consultancy, social entrepreneurship, creative and cultural industries, international organisations and corporate social responsibility. career opportunities They suit roles in strategy and communications.

Are you interested in exploring how culture, media and politics shape our world? Are you curious about what drives innovation and future trends? DCU’s BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation is a unique degree where you will gain in-depth knowledge in three disciplines - culture, media and politics - whilst also developing key competencies to underpin your success in a wide variety of careers.

On this course you will:

explore the meaning and power of culture
examine the hugely influential role played by media and technology in society
and you’ll learn about national and international political systems

Is this course for me?
If you’re stimulated by learning how to design creative approaches to social issues and you’re keen to have flexibility to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities that enable you to carve out your own career path, then this is the course for you.

Three or four year degree

You can complete the BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation degree in three years, or choose to take an extra year either to study abroad or complete an INTRA placement.

In each year of the BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation, you will take modules from all three pillars of culture, media and politics. You will also enjoy greater flexibility as each new year will bring a greater selection of optional modules to choose from.

Career focused
From the outset your career development is given attention and the degree is designed to ensure that you complete modules on essential transferable skills throughout the course such as leadership, critical thinking, digital literacy and project management.

Opportunity to specialise
In your final year you will specialise in one pillar, while continuing to study the other two at a lesser intensity. You will also have the opportunity to do in-depth research on a particular topic of interest in the form of a dissertation.

More about the three pillars
The course is structured around three specific pillars, comprising both core and optional modules, relating to the study of culture, media and politics.

Self, Society and Innovation
Study key social identities such as gender, nationality, ethnicity and social class; examine the drivers and impacts of globalisation and mass migration; identify local, national and global challenges; and develop creative strategies to address these.

Media, Messaging and the Digital World
Analyse advertising and other media outputs; study the history of journalism and how it is evolving; explore the challenges and opportunities facing traditional and new media in the 21st century, including the ever-increasing role of social media and digital platforms

Politics, Power and Internationalisation
Reflect on the concept of power in personal, political and economic relations; consider how various innovations influence how citizens engage with politics; examine political ideologies and conflicts from around the world; explore diverse approaches to international security and political terrorism.

Year Abroad
Studying abroad at one of our partner universities provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the culture of another country. Our international partner universities are either based in an English-speaking country or are European universities where modules are delivered through English. If you choose to study abroad for your third year, you will add a year to the degree duration and complete your final year in year 4.

INTRA Year
Alternatively you may choose to pursue a year-long work placement that will give you a unique opportunity to enhance your CV, increase your employability and apply your knowledge and skills in the real world. This option is competitive and subject to the availability of placements. For more information on the INTRA programme at DCU, please visit dcu.ie/intra

What Will I Study?
You will study a variety of engaging and innovative core and optional modules from several disciplines.