Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences

This brand new programme offered at RTC provides a comprehensive grounding in the social sciences and equips students to critically apply theories and understandings to the fundamental issues and problems that confront human societies today. In its approach the programme is both Bhutan-specific, focusing on its history, politics, policies, and culture, and regional and global in its outlook with modules on internal relations, diplomacy of South Asia, world history, and the planetary Anthropocene. In addition to familiarizing students with classical and contemporary thinkers and texts, the programme strongly focuses on the applied nature of the social sciences by providing students with practical research skills, community-engagement, and internship opportunities.

Programme Handbook

- see complete programme details here -

Curriculum Map

YrSemModules
1ISTC101

Introduction to Sociology

From Pol-Soc

PST101

Introduction to Political Science

From Pol-Soc

POS101

Political History of Bhutan

[Bhutan Studies, Gen. Ed.]

IPS101

IT and Basic Problem Solving

[IT Skills Gen. Ed] From Env Mgt

EAP101

Intermediate English for Academic Purposes

[English comm. Gen. Ed.] From English S

IIEES101

Environmental Sociology

PST103

Political Theory and Ideology

From Pol-Soc

STS101

Introduction to Statistics

[Numeracy Gen. Ed.] From Env Mgt

ETH405

Contemporary Buddhist Ethics

[Ethics & Values Gen. Ed] From BA Anthro

EAP102

Upper-Intermediate English for Academic Purposes

[English comm. Gen. Ed.] From English S

2ISOC201

Medical Sociology

POS202

Foundations of International Relations

ASC303

Technology and Society

[Science / Technology perspective Gen Ed.] From BA Anthro

CEP201

Foundations of Social Work

GSE101

Analytical Skills

[Analytical Skills Gen. Ed.]

IISTC204

Social Psychology

From Pol-Soc

SOC202

Sociology of Numbers

CEP202

Community Engagement Practicum

STY201

Social Dynamics of Data and Artificial Intelligence

DZG101

རྫོང་ཁ་བརྡ་དོན་སྤྲོད་ལེན།

[Dzongkha comm. Gen. Ed.]

3ISTY302

World History of Science and Technology

UGR308

Theories and Methods of Social Science Research

SOC303

Gender and Society

EES302

Global Capitalism and the Anthropocene

EES303

Climate Change, Policy, and Society

II

[Business / Financial Literacy Gen. Ed. Elective]

STY303

Science, Policy and Politics in Bhutan

UGR309

Social Science Research Practicum

CEP303

Internship

CEP303

Internship

4IUGR401

Undergraduate Research Thesis (Part 1) and (Part 2)

POS404

Comparative Politics

[Global affairs / civics. Gen. Ed.]

SOC404

Urban Sociology and Migration

EES404

Science, Society, and Environment in the Himalayas

[Open Gen. Ed. Elective]

IIUGR401

Undergraduate Research Thesis (Part 1) and (Part 2)

STY404

Science and Technology Perspectives on Global Problems

SOC405

Seminars on Contemporary Bhutan Studies

[Bhutan Studies, Gen. Education]

POS403

South Asian Geopolitics

[Open Gen. Ed. Elective]

[Open Gen. Ed. Elective]

Learning Outcomes of the Programme

Graduates of this programme are expected to acquire not only a grounding within the field of social sciences knowledge (subject-specific skills) but will also gain competency in the following skill areas: critical thinking skills, application skills and transferable skills. Specific learning outcomes based on these four different skill sets are the foundation of this programme, along with appropriately aligned teaching, learning and assessment tools.

Subject Specific Skills (Knowledge & Understanding)

  • Synthesise foundational philosophies, concepts, and debates in the social sciences.
  • Annotate various schools of thought in contemplating interests and power balances in international and national politics.
  • Discuss the social processes of society, social institutions, and social behaviour in both local and international communities.
  • Apply interdisciplinary perspectives to holistically and innovatively address local and global issues.
  • Investigate the various impacts of climate change and other environmental crises through social science methods and approaches.
  • Evaluate the relationship between science, technology, and social change in Bhutan and beyond.

Critical Thinking Skills

  • Communicate social science knowledge and practice in a clear and professional style in written and oral formats.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in analysing and applying theories and methodologies to complex social science issues and trends.
  • Evaluate critically a wide range of concepts and philosophies, particularly those encompassing morals and ethics.
  • Analyse Bhutan's position in the region and the world to understand global events in a regional and local context.
  • Enhance analytical skills in critically evaluating scholarly writing in the field of social science in Bhutan and elsewhere.
  • Critically interpret both qualitative and quantitative literature in Social Science contributing to effective decision-making and problem-solving in different areas.
  • Address complex real-world challenges with a holistic and adaptable mindset.
  • Adopt interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to critically evaluate contemporary issues in Bhutan and beyond.

Application Skills

  • Apply problem-solving skills related to social issues and cultivate ethical reasoning.
  • Apply social science knowledge for diplomacy, negotiation, policy, and planning.
  • Empathise with diverse perspectives through effective social engagement and team working skills.
  • Apply key theories and concepts in the social sciences to contemporary issues in Bhutan.
  • Contextualise global events in the Bhutan and regional context.
  • Implement a variety of social science methods for both quantitative and qualitative study.
  • Construct and employ evidence-based and logical arguments in real-world settings.
  • Apply theories and methods of social work to community settings in Bhutan.

Transferable Skills

  • Become reflective, independent, critical evaluators, and life-long learners.
  • Present sensitivity and empathy in cross-cultural communications.
  • Demonstrate networking abilities through effective communication, active listening, and negotiation.
  • Execute time management and personal goal-setting skills.
  • Display presentation, public speaking, and debating abilities.
  • Articulate critical and effective reading skills for academic and scholarly literature.
  • Interpret various quantitative data using technical and statistical skills inclusive of relevant software and programming applications/languages.
  • Implement relevant methodologies for data collection and analysis for qualitative research skills.

Interdisciplinary Programme Clusters

Politics & Governance

Familiarizes students with political thought traditions and explores the role of government in society and how it relates to democracy, social justice, and administration.

Sociology and Social Work

Offers high-quality research training in sociology, including knowledge of relevant theoretical approaches and skills in major research techniques.

Society and Environment

Introduces students to main approaches for environmental social sciences and how social science theories contribute to addressing contemporary environmental crises.

Science and Technology in Society

Explores how modern technology and science shape societies, cultures, values, and institutions, and how societies shape science and technology.

Career Opportunities

Because of its broad and interdisciplinary approach, the graduates in BA Social Science will have robust career opportunities with organisations that look for a wide set of skills and knowledge, including soft skills such as analytical skills, creativity, adaptability, communication, policy formulation, planning, ethical reasoning, and the attitude and openness to learn. The subject-specific content taught in four years, complimented by the transferable soft skills will help prepare students in both academic pursuits as well as the market needs.

Research skills and teamwork are among the top skills that students will learn from their courses which can be directly applied to their jobs. Public and private sector opportunities include positions with government agencies, CSOs, international organisations, consultancies, social work/advocacy, and the tourism sector.