General provisions

Introduction to Social Sciences is the mandatory first course in the Bachelor's Programme in Socieal Sciences.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and Social Studies 1b or 1a1+1a2

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should

• have acquired basic knowledge in the theory of science and the history of ideas in the social sciences
• be able to identify processes of change in different areas of society, for example in economics, demography or politics
• be able to discuss different problem areas such as democracy, migration and economic development from an internationalization perspective
• be able to give examples of the meaning of globalization and its connection to different types of human activity
• be able to make independent and critical reflections within their subject area
• have acquired knowledge and skills in different ways of working, such as working in groups and oral presentation
• have acquired a scientific approach with an emphasis on written presentation
• with some independence be able to delimit and formulate problems within the subject area, study an problem and present it in the form of writing an essay
• be equipped to seek new knowledge in the subject area

Content

Module 1. Theory of Science and the History of Ideas in the Social Sciences, 5 credits

The module aims at a first orientation in modern theoretical theory debate with special regard to the social sciences. The emphasis is on two themes: Firstly, the debate in recent decades about what science is, including its conditions and scope; Secondly, the emergence of independent social science disciplines and the specific scientific theoretical questions raised in this context.

Module 2. Social science analysis, 14 credits

The purpose of this module is to give the student tools to find connections between different areas of social analysis in concrete contexts. The overall theme of the course is "Sweden and the outside world in internationalized society". An introduction to the disciplines political science, sociology, economic history and human geography provides an overview of current research issues and theoretical approaches in the social sciences based on the perspectives addressed in the course. Afterwards, selected societal issues are discussed in-depth, highlighted from the various disciplines and with the help of different approaches.

Module 3. Essay work including method, 11 credits

The module entails an introduction to essay writing and research methodology in theory and practice. The essay is a group work. A large part of the teaching during the course takes the form of supervision with a focus on methodological issues for the ongoing essay work. The essays are discussed at a seminar  at the end of the course.

Instruction

Instruction can be in the form of lectures, tutorials, supervision, seminars, excursions and essay writing. Compulsory attendance applies to all teaching elements except lectures.

Assessment

The student is assessed though written tests and written assignments. Participation in exercises, seminars, tutorials and excursions is mandatory. Each module is assessed on the basis of the grade scale failed, passed, passed with distinction. To get the summary grade passed with distinction, the grade passed with distinction is required on two of the three modules. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.