Course description
The MA/Diploma course Researching Wales is a new cross-disciplinary degree scheme. It is both a research training degree and a free-standing course which could considerably enhance the employment prospects of people seeking to gain high level jobs in post-devolutionary Wales. The course matches the substantial demand for workers with good research skills, a knowledge of the Welsh context, a knowledge of other comparable areas and good communications skills. It is organised through a cross-departmental research institute (the Welsh Institute for Social and Cultural Affairs, or WISCA) but draws on expertise from a wide range of departments. This means that students are exceptionally well-supported and have access to a wide and unique range of staff.
The course consists of a broad social science research training, the relevance of which is not confined to people working on Wales. However, the degree course also includes core courses and options which apply these skills to Welsh circumstances. The core courses are: Theory and method in Social Research and Themes and Issues in the study of Wales. Students also take a further skills training course, which allows them to develop generic research skills (especially IT or language skills) or skills which they will need as academic researchers.
Optional courses give students the opportunity to study Welsh devolution, Welsh politics; the sociology of Wales; social policy in Wales; researching Welsh communities; Wales in Europe; the Welsh economy; bilingualism or other options. All MA students research and write a 20,000 word dissertation.
There is an opportunity to develop or improve Welsh language skills as part of the degree for students who wish to do so. Some modules may be taught in Welsh or English.
