Bachelor of Arts
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences major provides a sound understanding of the society in which we live - individuals, families, communities, whànau, aiga, iwi, groups, organisations, governments and cultures. It combines the approaches of key social sciences: sociology, psychology, political studies and economics.
WHAT THIS PROGRAMME COVERS
- The Social Sciences major will encourage and require students to:
- Explain and analyse the characteristics of human society
- Understand and investigate social change
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of the nature and structure of New Zealand and other nations in Asia and Pacific Region
- Critically evaluate local, national and international political systems
- Critically examine concepts of ethnocentrism
- Evaluate the impact of European civilisation on the Pacific, particularly Mäori society
- Identify and examine contemporary Mäori issues
- Analyse communication processing across diverse cultures
- Identify, use and critically analyse diverse approaches to ethical issues in a range of applied settings
- Understand and critically analyse economic systems
- Demonstrate skills in data retrieval, analysis (including a range of statistical techniques) and presentation in relation to sociological, economic, political and psychological research
- Understand individual human development and behaviour
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
This programme prepares students for careers that involve understanding and working with people and organisations and for further study in professional fields such as social work and foreign affairs. The following areas also provide career opportunities:
- Local government
- Community work
- Non governmental organisations
- Policy analysis
- Research
- Human and social sciences
PAPERS
Throughout the three years of the BA, students take core papers that provide the necessary skills in writing, research and IT capability to prepare them for academic work and their working life. For a list of core papers see the 145713 Writing
146734 Communicating
285104 Research and Analysis
287901 Co-operative Education Practicum
955203 Communication and Presentation Systems
Social Sciences Papers:
285001 Introduction to Psychology A
285006 Introduction to Economics
285007 Introduction to Anthropology
285702 Introduction to Sociology
285706 New Zealand Political Studies
286101 States and Nations
286102 Applied Ethics
286103 Individuals and Identities
286104 Families and Communities
286105 Cultures and Societies
286106 Principles of Conflict Resolution
286107 Criminology and Criminal Justice
286201 War and Peace
286742 Methods of Social Research
287001 Police and Crime Prevention
287002 Emotions and Human Nature
287003 Multicultural Communities
287201 Asian and Pacific Issues
287202 Applied Social Theory
287203 International Relations
287205 Applied Practice in Conflict Resolution
287206 Crime and Deviance
287207 Managing Innovation and Change
287208 Critical Issues in Cultural and Social Psychology
287209 Children and Public Policy
287300 Research Project