Political Science is the study of governments, public policies and political behaviors. Political Science will appeal to students who are excited about exploring the background to current events, the nature and use of power and how decisions are made that impact on wider society. For students who are interested in having an in-depth knowledge of public affairs, developing critical and much sought after research skills and if their career interests lie in journalism, public service, teaching, public policy, international organization and/or business then Political Science may be for them.
Social Policy entails the study of those social relations shaping human welfare and wellbeing and analysis of the means by which governments achieve citizen’s well-being through the formation of policies, provision of services and responding to social issues and problems. As a course of undergraduate study Social Policy fits with a commitment to advance the cause of a just, pluralistic and sustainable society. The course encourages engagement with wider society and civic engagement through modules on issues such as refugee policy, housing and homelessness, ageing and the life course, youth, reproductive rights, social inequality, disability and domestic violence. A global outlook is a reoccurring and integral part of the course. Trinity College Dublin curriculum aims to give students a thorough training in the systematic analysis of contemporary social issues and the role of social policy in comparative country contexts. At the end of students' four years they should have developed both a general understanding of the field of social policy and specific expertise in select contemporary policy issues, the process of policy making and the skills of research, analysis and argumentation applicable to the policy arena.
