B Soc Science vs B Arts (1 Viewer)

[Silver Persian]

Can someone give me an idea of how useful B soc science is? Is it just a stream of an arts degree which offers less flexibility but little more job opportunites, or is it actually useful? This question is keeping in mind that, if i were to do soc science I would be majoring in the completely useless philosophy or sociology.

Or I should I just do an arts degree so I can have more flexibility with my program?

 

[phrred]

theres a lot less flexibility in B SocSc cause u obviously hafta major in social science stuff and something else if u want whereas in a BA u can major in anything thats available.

 

[kate86]

hey,

There are so many things that you can major in if you do a bachelor of social science besides philosophy and sociology! look it up in the unsw handbook.

You will find when you choose social science you will do your core subjects as well as electives and you can choose any subjects from the arts faculty as your electives anyway so it is very flexible. In a lot of social science classes there are many arts students that pick the courses anyway.

 

[Lundy]

In the UAC book it should tell you what areas and careers each degree can lead you to. Also have a look here: http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/programs/2005/3420.html

I do ba media comm instead of a straight arts degree (I imagine it's set up similarly to the soc science degree in terms of core study + electives). I still have a decent amount of flexibility with the arts electives I can take, and above all I find it's a lot more useful than a straight arts degree with the benefit of a specialisation and, let's face it, looks more impressive on paper than just 'b arts'.

 

[phrred]

depends what u wanna do with it tho

 

[bshoc]

You can do most things really, for example, if you major in eco (as part of Social Science) you're pretty much doing the same thing as those doing BEc, except ofcourse you have to take the core Social Science stream. Compare

http://www.handbook.unsw.edu.au/undergraduate/plans/2006/ECONA13420.html

to

http://www2.fce.unsw.edu.au/nps/ser...oggedOutInheritableArea&maxWnd=_Future_UG_BEc

After majoring in eco you can do honors and masters in eco if you want also, with the benefit of having done the Social Science general stream as well. IMO its a good course, with transfer and hons/MA potential in many fields.

 

[RooRaa]

I just wanted to comment that a philosophy major would be well respected (especially in the academic world). In Arts there tends to be majors that are more respected than others. Sociology tends to be considerd a less academic major or even a bludge (i am not saying the perception is correct).

Obviously it depends what you want to do with your degree and what you are passionate about. If you love sociology then by all means do it.

I have met a few students who want to drop the social science side of thier degree as they find it really dull. Maybe i have just randomly met the disatisfied students. Im sure some in their class love it. I suppose whats most important is if you know what type of job you want? Social science would be more usful in some jobs while it would be considerd the same as a arts degree. btw i LOVE the flexibility. I dont have to do ANY subjects i dont like. Such a nice change from school.

You can always switch once you get in. Maybe you could hedge your bets and aim for the course that has a higher UAI then drop to the other course if you think that suits you better down the track.

 

[Sarah]

Silver Persian- the diff b/t Arts and Social Science is that in Social Science, there is a core program which you must follow. You are also limited in the list of majors you can choose from.

Arts on the otherhand has no core program. You can do 1 or 2 majors. Also, you can do a language as a major- something you can't do in Soc Sci.

Also, if you were considering doing uni part-time, Arts would give you more flexibility as there is no core program. The majority of core subjects in B Social Science are offered once per year.

I have met a few students who want to drop the social science side of thier degree as they find it really dull. Maybe i have just randomly met the disatisfied students. Im sure some in their class love it. I suppose whats most important is if you know what type of job you want? Social science would be more usful in some jobs while it would be considerd the same as a arts degree. btw i LOVE the flexibility. I dont have to do ANY subjects i dont like. Such a nice change from school.

I know ppl who do Social Science. I have yet to meet someone who enjoys the core subjects.

 

[RooRaa]

haha ok.. then maybe the students i have met are not so random.