The BA Social Sciences major introduces students to a range of issues, methods, and problems across the social sciences (sociology, anthropology, human geography, political science, history, and social psychology). It is based on courses licensed from the Open University, UK, and has been adapted to reflect the New Zealand context.

The major interdisciplinary courses will develop your critical thinking skills and your understanding of contemporary social issues, theoretical paradigms, methodological approaches, and problems within the social sciences. Particular emphasis is placed on problems of culture, change and society, uncertainty and risk, and issues of knowledge, globalisation and identity.

Download a copy of the brochure for this programme and the Course Information Handbook 
( .pdf 932kb and 551kb) documents will open in a new window.

Please note: This major is not available for international students.

Programme structure

To complete a BA with a Social Sciences major, you will be required to gain 360 credits by passing courses selected from the following:

Major courses (Totalling 220 credits):

Five compulsory courses:

Level 5

74111 New Zealand Society (20 credits)
74112 Introduction to the Social Sciences 1: Politics, Identity and Difference (20 credits)
74113 Introduction to the Social Sciences 2: Knowledge in a Changing World (20 credits)

Level 6

74207 Social Science in Action: Investigating the Information Society (20 credits)

Either:

74208 Living in a Globalised World (60 credits)

or

74209 Sociology and Society (60 credits)

Level 7

74342 Research Paper OR 74347 Practicum (20 credits)

Either:

74301 Pacific Studies: Globalisation (20 credits)

and

74303 Pacific Studies: Tourism in the Pacific (20 credits)

and

74304 Pacific Studies: Representation and Identity Politics (20 credits)

or

74302 Culture, Media and Identities (60 credits)

And your choice of:

Elective courses (140 credits)

Electives can be selected from any degree course offered by The Open Polytechnic. You may select up to six 20 credit courses or a combination of 20 credit and 60 credit courses. Please check for prerequisites and availability.

Course availability

See the Course availability page

Entry requirements

See the Bachelor of Arts page

Level of study

Hours of study

We suggest you begin your studies at Level 5 and work your way up to the next levels. You may gain a maximum of 160 credits at Level 5 and a minimum of 80 credits at Level 7. If you want to complete your degree in three years you will need to gain 120 credits a year. However, if you are working and studying part-time, we suggest you begin with one course. A 20 credit course will take about 180-200 hours of study over 17 weeks, and a 60 credit course will take about 500-600 hours over 40 weeks.

Fees

Download a copy of the 2010 fees schedule, ( .pdf 123kb) document will open in a new window.

What do I do now?

Request a copy of the brochure.
Download an enrolment form.
For further information free phone 0508 650 200 or email