Bachelor of Science in Social Innovation


Students in the Social Innovation program apply scientific methods to understand the ways people think and act - individually, in groups, and in societies - and the ways that biology and the environment interact to make each of us unique. Research findings from the social sciences inform public policy on a wide range of issues, such as reducing crime, designing effective political campaigns, helping people overcome addictions, crafting economic/labor policies, and convincing people to conserve resources. Students in the Social Innovation program will devise ways to improve society by examining the challenges facing developing and developed economies, analyzing the central components of governments and constitutions, and using the science of influence and motivation. It will support the critical needs of UAE society and government by preparing graduates ready to embark upon careers such as Social Entrepreneur, Labor Specialist, Corporate Attorney, Urban Planner, Economist, Science Journalist, Policy Analyst and Conflict Mediator.

In the Social Innovation program, students will take courses that provide in-depth disciplinary knowledge and skills, as well as electives from courses offered in other programs. In addition, they will complete an internship and an independent Capstone project.

Specializations

Program Goals

To meet our social innovation majors’ aspirations to address complex, interconnected issues in society through a deep understanding of human behavior within broader political and economic macro environmental contexts, by leveraging the latest communication strategies and media technologies to articulate and influence social change and innovation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Levels of Analysis: Determine and apply levels of analysis to frame and solve problems in the social sciences. (Level 7 of QFE: Knowledge, Skills)

  2. Complex Systems: Utilize concepts from complex system theory to analyze social phenomena. (Level 7 of QFE: Knowledge, Skills)

  3. Interdisciplinary Social Science: Analyze individual and collective human behavior using principles and theories from multiple social science disciplines. (Level 7 of QFE: Knowledge, Skills)

  4. Quantitative Social Science: Utilize quantitative and computational methods to operationalize and investigate social phenomena. (Level 7 of QFE: Knowledge, Skills)

  5. Problem Solving: Apply principles and practice of the social sciences to solve social problems (Level 7 of QFE: Skills, Autonomy and responsibility, Role in context, Self-development)

  6. Communication and Teamwork: Effectively communicate with technical and non-technical audiences, and solve problems collaboratively. (Level 7 of QFE: Skills, Autonomy and responsibility, Role in context, Self-development)

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