Social Theory and Public Affairs

  Netherlands

Amsterdam

Description: Social scientists, economists, historians, artists, writers, and of course philosophers have been engaged in public affairs since antiquity. Since they emerged as a distinct set of academic disciplines and specialties, the social sciences too have sought to address public affairs. They take up and develop cultural understandings, visions of man and gender, notions of identity and social interaction and narratives of historical development, rationality, enlightenment, and 'otherness'.

A profound understanding of the social theories informing social research and public debates and policy is essential to both academic work and public service in the social sciences. The master's programme in Social Theory and Public Affairs allows students to develop their grasp of social theory and public affairs, their symbiosis and their role in the modern world.

The master's programme in Social Theory and Public Affairs provides the student with a solid theoretical, conceptual, and methodological foundation in the social sciences. It offers students an interdisciplinary approach to the main concerns of our time. The historical and comparative dimensions emphasized in the majority of the courses train the student to analyse issues in society and culture from various perspectives and to put them in their wide-ranging sociological, political and cultural contexts. The combination of empirical studies with theoretical reflection and reading will provide the intellectual tools and abilities that students need to better understand, analyse and cope with the world's contemporary problems and complexities.

The specialised course in Social Theory and Public Affairs is organised around a colloquium in which specialists in various approaches give presentations. In their master's thesis students focus on in-depth analysis of one or two theoretical approaches in relation to an important public affair.

Regular contact with the academic advisor and the programme manager ensures that the progress of each student is reviewed and discussed. During the writing of the thesis, students are expected to participate actively in the thesis seminar and to present their thesis proposals and one or more chapters.

Upon completion of the programme, students will have acquired profound knowledge of theories and concepts used to research and analyse specific social and/or political problems. They will have learned how to critically analyse and evaluate social science theories, research methods, and results. In addition to this, students will have acquired advanced skills for reading, analysing, and summarising literature within their field of specialisation, and for placing that literature within larger historical and intellectual contexts. They will have learned how to conduct literature and data searches, to design research projects, to write argumentative texts and to present their research findings, scientific papers, and/or policy papers. In order to complete their degree, students will have applied their knowledge in writing a research proposal and in conducting empirical research for their master's thesis.

Being part of an international programme will help the student to acquire the linguistic and social skills necessary to be able to work in an international, multicultural environment.

Highlights: The master's programme in Social Theory and Public Affairs is a high standard, interdisciplinary, English-taught programme, including education in an international classroom, instruction in small classes, intensive guidance and coaching by staff and faculty concerning both practical and academic issues and an atmosphere which is determined by enthusiasm for study and cultural, intellectual and social involvement. The ISHSS guarantees housing for one year for all international fee-paying students (both degree and non-degree).

Social Theory and Public Affairs is part of the master's in Sociology ('Sociologie'). The quality of this master's programme has been positively assessed by the Accreditation Organisation of The Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). This means that upon successful completion of the programme students will receive a legally accredited master's degree and the title Master of Science (MSc).

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Cost in US$: 1900 Euro EEA residents / 9000 Euro non EEA residents

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Netherlands Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of max 29

Scholarships are Available. - *The Amsterdam Merit Scholarships (AMS): specifically designed by the University of Amsterdam (UvA) to offer talented and hard-working non-EU/EEA students the opportunity to pursue a degree in one of the academic fields covered by the UvA. *The HSP Huygens Programme: open to excellent students from all countries of the world. It is aimed at talented students who want to come to the Netherlands in the final phase of their bachelors studies or during their masters studies. *Other scholarships

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time Is 3 (three) months

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

University of Amsterdam, International School for Humanitites and Social Sciences (ISHSS)'s Mission Statement: The International School for Humanities and Social Sciences (ISHSS) provides English taught, internationally accredited, academic education in the Social Sciences on the Undergraduate and Graduate level. The ISHSS aims to create a learning environment favourable to students and lecturers alike, which makes students from all over the world feel welcome and which lets lecturers and staff feel that their work is appreciated and respected. The atmosphere is determined by enthousiasm for study and cultural, intellectual and social involvement. The ISHSS offers education to exchange students and to fee paying students on undergraduate and graduate level. The ISHSS offers modular education in diverse programmes, short (i.e. summer programmes) or longer (certificate and master's programmes). These programmes are interdisciplinary in nature and intertwined among each other.

Year Founded: 1998