Master of Arts: Sociology – European Societies

The "Sociology – European Societies" Master's programme is a research-oriented programme. It reflects current debates in theory-driven and problem-oriented research, and students learn to develop their own empirical research projects in the third semester. The curriculum offers a range of approaches to theory and (mostly quantitative) methods – spanning fields of culture, social structure, politics, European integration and transformation. Furthermore, it encourages active participation in research, from the identification of relevant questions to delivering sound results. The programme has a strong focus on quantitative methods for the social sciences. The programme emphasises the comparative sociological study of European societies in a globalised and transnational world. It aims to enable students to apply theoretical and empirical tools of sociology in order to accomplish the following: describe and explain social structural, economic, and cultural differences across European countries understand the ways in which European societies are transformed by processes of regional integration investigate Europe in the context of globalisation and in contrast and connection to other world regions The research and teaching agenda is implemented by the Institute of Sociology together with the Institutes for East European Studies, Latin American Studies, and the John F. Kennedy Institute for North American Studies at the Freie Universität Berlin. First semester: The first semester requires compulsory attendance in three modules. Each module consists of a lecture and an elective seminar. Each module carries 10 ECTS credits. Two lectures of the three modules are assessed by a written exam (90 minutes) at the end of the semester. One seminar of the three modules requires the successful completion of a written assignment (5,000 words). In the Methods of Comparative Research in Social Sciences module, all students will learn the main elements of research design and methods for contemporary sociology. Particular attention will be paid to quantitative methods, both in theory and in practice. The module covers the basics of understanding, interpreting, and conducting statistical analysis for sociological research and prepares students for more advanced seminars later in the study programme. Second semester: In the second semester, attendance in three modules is also compulsory. Each module consists of a lecture and an elective seminar. Each module carries 10 ECTS credits. The three lectures are assessed by written tests (90 minutes, not graded) at the end of the semester. The seminars require the successful completion of a written assignment (5,000 words) or an oral exam (25 minutes). The second semester concentrates on the analysis of main features of the social structures and cultures of European societies. Additionally, the modules analyse Europe within the context of globalisation and in comparison to other world regions (particularly North America and Latin America). Third semester: The third semester consists of a research placement and two seminars. The research placement (four hours weekly) gives students the opportunity to put their research skills into practice. It offers the framework to independently conduct empirical research on one's topic of choice under close supervision. Students need to hand in a research report that consists of approx. 7,000 words. The class carries 15 ECTS credits in total. The second module of the third semester consists of two elective modules: "Advanced Methods of Empirical Social Research" and "Special Fields of Sociological Research". Students must choose one of the elective modules, each of which consists of two seminars. Students can choose from a variety of seminars addressing topics related to previous modules of the programme. The module requires a written assignment of 3,000 words. Fourth semester: Students write their Master's theses in the fourth semester. Furthermore, they are required to at