BA (Hons) Social Care Practice

Course Summary:

Social Care Practice is emerging as a key professional field for those who wish to work actively in the areas of social justice, social care and social policy. Ireland, among other countries, continues to face many social challenges, for example, in the areas of providing care for children and young people; developing a genuinely inclusive multicultural society; responding to its ageing population; and addressing issues related to addiction, unemployment, family breakdown and social inequality.

Do you want to address and respond to these challenges? Are you interested in the future of our society and those who live within it? Do you want to become an active, informed, reflective and confident social professional with a broad range of skills, knowledge and competencies at your disposal?

If the answer is yes, then this may be the course for you. Social care practitioners work to address these challenges. This course is challenging and diverse. From day one you will be involved in questioning and creating knowledge: about Irish and other societies; about how people relate to one another; and about yourself. You will be encouraged to take active responsibility for your own learning and to explore fields such as psychology, sociology and law that will allow you to critically understand the social world.

There is a strong focus on the use of creative tools to develop your own imaginative responses to social
problems and issues.

Key modules include professional practice, social research, sociology, psychology and social policy, as well as law and ethics. In the second half of the programme, you will be able to select a sequence of modules related to a specialised area of study, such as children and young people, diversity, or global perspectives. All students engage in a structured process of personal development throughout the programme in order to support their learning and professional capacities.

Key skills:

• A thorough understanding of key social sciences such as sociology, psychology, and social policy
• Creativity and communication
• Ability to apply ethical and legal principles to complex situations
• Ability to reflect on your own knowledge and understanding
• Research and analysis
• Professional practice