Summary of content

As the title suggests, this module aims to introduce social science students to (i) the principles, ideas and value of the social sciences and (ii) interdisciplinary social science.

The module is structured into four blocks, providing an understanding of defining features of a social science perspective (blocks A and D) and an opportunity to apply social science to address key issues facing society at the local (block C) and global scales (block B).
(A) Social Science: an introduction
(B) Global Social Science
(C) Local Social Science
(D) Key Social Science Skills

In addition to providing a comprehensive introduction to the value of the social sciences as an interdisciplinary endeavour, the opportunity will be taken throughout to demonstrate the importance and potential of each of the core social science disciplines that will subsequently be studied by social science students at GCU.

Although presented to social science students, the module builds upon a core programme of learning that is shared with a complementary module (The Business of Social Science), which is presented to GSBS students who are not pursuing a social science degree. Deviations permit social science students to explore interdisciplinarity in the social sciences (students presenting for this module) and the relevance of social science for business studies (students pursuing the BOSS module).

This new module has also been designed to enable GCU social science students based in Glasgow and GCU social science students based in Mauritius to work together over a six-week period, as they explore the global challenges facing contemporary societies, and think creatively about responses to them. The curriculum design facilitates cross-continental working, despite the module being delivered simultaneously as a single trimester programme of learning (for students based in Mauritius) and as a double trimester programme of learning (for students based in Glasgow). An equivalent learning experience is offered to all students.

More generally, this module will capitalise on the combined strengths of the Department of Social Sciences, Media and Journalism to offer a learning experience that contributes to one of the core aims of the School - to add social and economic value through both multi- and inter- disciplinary teaching. The ultimate outcome (of a GSBS degree, to which this module contributes) is to produce graduates who can act as responsible citizens and managers with a broad and deep understanding of the complexity of contemporary societal challenges.

The module will start to develop attributes which all GSBS graduates should possess, including an international perspective and awareness of global issues the ability to think holistically (e.g. to consider societal challenges issues from a range of perspectives) being digitally aware the ability to work collaboratively the ability to manage workload effectively (time management skills) and the capacity to think independently with a critical and questioning perspective.

Module structure

Assessment methods