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Philosophy and Sociology (BSc)

Joint Major in

Philosophy and Sociology

 At University College Dublin (CAO code DN700)

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What is a society? What makes it work? What makes it unjust? What is injustice? These are the central questions on the Philosophy and Sociology pathway at University College Dublin. The two disciplines support and complement each other well. Both disciplines articulate recommendations for improving the societies they study, whether that society is a national group, religious group, a gender group, a city, a country, a continent, or the entire world.

The pathway in Philosophy and Sociology is designed for students who want to understand the reality behind the newspaper headlines about the various societies we live in. It provides an ideal training for students to work in the civil service, journalism and NGOs -- or just to be concerned citizens. We emphasise the role of detailed research and informed criticism, driven by compassion.

The Joint Major structure

  • Four years long (called Stages)
  • After Stage 1, the student takes five modules in philosophy, five modules in sociology.
  • The possibility of a semester or year abroad in Stage 3.
  • The possibility of an intensive research project in Stage 4.
  • At the end of Stage 1, the option to change one of the subjects
  • At the end of Stage 2, the option to switch into a Single Major in Philosophy.

Available modules include:

Philosophy Sociology
  • Ethics
  • Critical Thinking
  • Existentialism and Humanism
  • Feminism and Gender
  • Applied Ethics
  • Art & Society
  • Philosophy of Science
  • Critical Theory
  • Philosophy of Religion
  • Knowledge & Scepticism
  • Phil. of Mental Disorder
  • Philosophy of Law
  • Ireland in Comparative Perspective
  • Socio. Analysis and Research Design
  • Sociological Theory
  • Sociology of Gender
  • Social Anthropology
  • Sociology of Health and Inequality
  • Childhood & Family
  • Sociology of Education
  • Socio. of Migration, Race and Ethnicity
  • Punishment & Social Control
  • Sociology of War and Violence
  • Work and Social Stratification

For more information, please contact: (opens in a new window)philosophy@ucd.ie

(opens in a new window)See the Social Sciences homepage

And see the webpages of the constituent schools:

UCD School of Philosophy

Fifth Floor -- 510D, Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
E: philosophy@ucd.ie