Contemporary Societies

Is your goal to understand the complex issues associated with contemporary societies? As societies become increasingly diverse, change rapidly, and are confronted with expanding inequalities, multiplying crises, proliferating controversies, and the opportunities and challenges associated with developments such as datafication and digitalization, there is a growing need for professionals trained and educated in the analysis of these dynamics. To become an expert in the analysis of contemporary societies – choose COS!   The Master’s Programme in Contemporary Societies (COS) offers a multidisciplinary, research-oriented social science education with a strong emphasis on theoretical and methodological training. Students develop solid skills in both qualitative and quantitative methods—ranging from established techniques to innovative approaches—which enable them to conduct rigorous data collection and engage in sophisticated theory-based analysis for analysing contemporary societal challenges. This methodological and substantive foundation supports systematic inquiry into pressing issues such as inequality and wellbeing, racial and ethnic relations, cultural and social diversity, intergroup dynamics, socio-cultural change, and environmental challenges. COS encourages disciplinary and multidisciplinary thinking, enabling students to engage critically and creatively with the complexities of Nordic, European, and global societies.  The programme has seven discipline-based study tracks: Consumption and Markets, Global Development Studies, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Social and Public Policy, Social Data Science, Social Psychology, and Sociology.  You can also freely select advanced thematic courses of your choice from any of these areas: Data and Society, Ethnic Relations and Migration, Mind and Society, Socio-Cultural Shifts, and Sources of Inequalities.   You can find further information about the studies on the Master's programme website.