Digital Society MSc
Public Sociology and Migration SOCIO5088
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Social and Political Sciences
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
This course explores the debates about academic neutrality and public sociology and applies them to migration research. It introduces theoretical debates over the nature of a public social science and draws on the reflections of both researchers and non-academics engaged in working with and for migrant communities in order to consider the practical, ethical and emotional challenges (and possibilities) of undertaking engaged and politically committed social research in this context.
Timetable
20 contact hours across a single semester. This typically will consist of weekly two hours in-person sessions.
Excluded Courses
None.
Co-requisites
N/A
Assessment
Summative Assessment Methods.
Summative assessment is composed of 1 x 2000-word report, and 1 x 2000-word essay. Each of these will comprise 50% of your overall mark.
Course Aims
This course examines both the theory and practice of Public Sociology with a focus on migration and migration research. It introduces historic and contemporary debates about normativity in social research and looks at the various ways that research that seeks to have an impact beyond academia might be conceived and conducted. As such, the course brings in perspectives and experiences from outside of the academy, including people working with NGOs as well as former students attempting to implement key lessons. In this way the course seeks to combine theoretical learning with the practical application of that learning. We will also look at the ethical challenges that emanate from conducting this type of research. This includes debates on how to conduct research on migration issues in an ethical way, while also ensuring that researchers are attuned to their own emotional needs.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Evaluate debates about political neutrality in Sociology
■ Critique the ways this debate is presented in arguments about Public Sociology
■ Analyse the ways migration research has used the principles of Public Sociology
■ Assess the methodological and practical challenges involved in migration related politically committed social research
■ Critically evaluate existing practices and ethics of engaged migration related social research
■ Critically reflect and assess how you might use some of the key lessons in your own work