MA in Sociology
June 14, 2022 2022-12-27 22:09MA in Sociology
MA in Sociology
STUDY PROGRAMME OF SOCIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
The modernisation of higher education institutions curricula is conditioned by development of science and technology. With regard to this, the reforms undertaken in the spirit of the Bologna Declaration process imply modernisation of professional training of sociologists as well, which was recognised at the Study Programme of Sociology.
Thr model set is the profile of sociologist in developed countries, given their position on the market and the form and contents of knowledge to be acquired over the course of their academic studies. In order for any risk of formalisation to be avoided, the reform proposes that certain rules to be introduced that rationalise the teaching process and define the curriculum.
For that reason, the Study Programme of Sociology is based upon on general guidelines governing the reform of higher education, in particular on the following:
– necessity for greater efficiency of the study process;
– necessity of introduction of interactive teaching methods and of active involvement of students into the teahing process;
– demand for interdisciplinary studies.
The Study Programme of Sociology aims at overcoming the following weaknesses:
– outdated teaching methods and outdated and insufficient didactic materials;
– long teaching process extending over two semesters, resulting in excessive exam load;
– very low efficiency of study process.
Students are offered a wide range of knowledge in sociology and an opportunity of becoming a specialist in a certain area, with a view to meeting the needs of various institutions employing sociologists.
A more comprehensive knowledge in certain areas is provided by virtue of offering electives that are inextricably associated with the contents featured by mandatory subjects. The curriculum implies the maximum level of operationalisation of interdisciplinary studies.
Upon developing the design of the Study Programme of Sociology, the goals were set in a realistic manner, with the actual quality of teaching process, the awareness of the significance of amendments made, and the available resources being taken into consideration.
NAME AND GOALS OF THE PROGRAMME
Name of the programme: Graduate academic studies of Sociology
Goals: It provides theoretical and methodological knowledge that enable students to work as individuals in a certain area of sociology and help them develop critical thinking. By being offered subjects from close social science disciplines, students are provided with a much needed interdisciplinary perspective, with a research paper featuring a range of topics and methods within the selected area. Special emphasis is placed on practical applications of sociological knowledge over the course of secend-cycle studies, aiming at equipping students with necessary skills for positions in schools, social work centres, companies, state institutions, civic and cultural institutions, as well as social phenomena researchers.
MODEL OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
The Study Programmes offers a 4+1+3 design of the three cycles of academic studies.
SCIENTIFIC FIELD OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
The second-cycle academic studies of Sociology are positioned within the domain of Social Science and in the scientific field of Sociology.
TYPE OF STUDIES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES
Type of studies: Graduate academic studies
Learning outcomes:
The graduate academic studies of sociology feature a two-semester programme aimed at providing knowledge and skills necessary for individual research work in the respective area of sociology. The theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired through research papers and making of the final paper concern both sociology and similar disciplines. As a result, students are qualified to participate in scientific and applied projects, to perform critical analysis of the social state of affairs, to conduct operational research, and to become involved in designing possible changes to certain segments of society.
Specific learning outcomes are defined within the scope of each mandatory and elective teaching subject.
ACADEMIC TITLE
According to the Decision on Usage and Acquisition of Academic Titles of the Government of the Republic of Srpska (Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska, issue 111/09), of 16 December 2009, the following titles are obtained upon finishing the second-cycle academic studies at the Study Programme of Sociology:
MA in Sociology – upon completion of second-cycle academic studies (300 ECTS)
CURRICULUM
Semester |
| Subject | Status | Lecture exercises | Exercise classes | Additional activities | ECTS |
1. | 1. | Sociological Theory and Method | M | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
2. | Economic Sociology | M | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
3. | Phenomenonological Sociology | M | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
4. | Sociology of Organisation | E | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
Globalisation Theory | E | ||||||
5. | Socio-Political Transition and Social Stratification | E | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | |
Urban Space Sociology | E | ||||||
Quantitative Researh Methods | E | ||||||
| 15 | 10 | – | 30 | |||
Semester |
| Subject | Status | Lecture classes | Exercise lectures | Additional activities | ECTS |
2. | 1. | Research Project | E | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
Traditional and Modern in Culture | E | ||||||
Mass Culture Sociology | E | ||||||
2. | Study Research Paper | M | – | – | 15 | 10 | |
3. | Final Paper | M | – | – | – | 15 | |
3 | 2 | 15 | 30 | ||||
METHODOLOGY AND DURATION OF STUDIES
The studies are regular, organised at the seat of the Faculty and following the 4+1+3 design, with the first cycle lasting for 4 (four years), that is, 8 (eight semesters), and the second one for 1 (one) year, that is, 2 (two) semesters. The latter figure refers to the third cycle (doctoral studies), to be launched soon.
With regard to the teaching process, there are following forms applied: regular lectures and practical exercises. Upon completion of the first cycle, students can choose between two study courses at the second cycle: Political Studies and International Studies, each featuring five mandatory subjects and one elective, as well as the final paper, on the basis of which candidates choose their field of expertise.
Students at this study programme are obliged to actively participate in lecture and exercise classes, to submit essays, seminar papers, and research projects, as well as to give presentations and be engaged in other academic activities, for which they are awarded points. At the beginning of a semester, the professor in charge of the subject introduces topics and issues, methodology and forms of work, and credits awarded to particular activities that make up of the overall subject workload. The passing grades range from 6 to 10 in a 5-10 grading system, the former being the lowest and the latter the highest grades. With regard to the aforementioned, the grades of 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are awarded for the respective point ranges: 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, 81-90, and 91-100. The grade of 5, marking a failed exam, is awarded for scores below 51.
The second-cycle studies last for 2 (two) semesters. In order for an MA in Political Science or an MA in International Relations to be acquired, candidates are required to complete the 60-ECTS workload, to pass all the exams, and to publicly defend their master’s thesis.
