PROGRAMME SYLLABUS

(This is a translation of the Swedish programme syllabus)

Magisterprogram i samhällsanalys, 60 högskolepoäng

Master's Programme in Social Analysis, 60 Credits

Programme code: SSA2N
Education cycle: Second cycle
Established: 12/06/2014 (ORU 4.1-1450/2014)
Approved: 18/06/2018 (ORU 2018/03233)
Valid from: Autumn semester 2019
Approved by: Faculty Board of Humanities and Social Sciences
School: School of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Objectives for the programme

Knowledge and understanding
For a Master of Science (60 credits) degree the student shall

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both an overview of the field and specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
  • demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills
For a Master of Science (60 credits) degree the student shall

  • demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
  • demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues autonomously as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames
  • demonstrate the ability in speech and writing to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
  • demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach
For a Master of Science (60 credits) degree the student shall

  • demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
  • demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
  • demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

(Appendix 2, Higher Education Ordinance)

COURSES WITHIN THE PROGRAMME

  • Social analysis: Theory and Method, 30 credits (sociology, A1N)
  • Sociology, Independent Project - Thesis, 30 credits (A1E)
  • Media and Communication Studies, Independent Project - Thesis, 30 credits (A1E)
  • Human Geography, Independent Project - Thesis, 30 credits (A1E)
  • Political Science, Independent Project - Thesis, 30 credits (A1E)
  • Gender Studies, Independent Project - Thesis, 30 credits (A1E)

GENERAL ORGANISATION OF THE PROGRAMME

This program gives a Degree of Master (60 credits). The program begins with the course Sociology, Social Analysis: Theory and Method, Second Cycle, 30 credits. The course engages with the construction of social problems. The student is trained to develop knowledge and reflexive skills with regard to how scientific questions relate to different social problems. The role of science in society is discussed and the course gives insights into the possibilities and limitations of research to solve or handle various social issues. The course furthermore addresses methodology and research design in social sciences. The relation between different methodological principles and research design within social science research is discussed. The course moreover addresses the role of analysis in the research, including analysis methods of qualitative as well as quantitative material. During the end of the course the student gets training in academic writing and the conducting of a literature review for preparation of the upcoming thesis. During the second semester the student selects one of the courses Independent Project - Thesis, 30 credits, in one of the following subjects: Sociology, Media and Communication Studies, Human Geography, Political Science and Gender Studies.

QUALIFICATIONS

Magisterexamen
A Master of Science (60 credits) is awarded after the student has completed the courses required to gain 60 credits, including at least 45 credits on the second cycle, of which at least 30 credits are for specialised study in a main field of study (courses labelled A1N/A1F/A1E) and at least 15 credits are for an independent project (degree project) with the label A1E.

In addition, the student is required to have completed a Degree of Bachelor, a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, a professional qualification of at least 180 credits, or a corresponding qualification from abroad.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

A Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits with sociology, gender studies, human geography, media and communication studies, social anthropology, social work, political science or equivalent (including an independent project of at least 15 credits) as the main field of study. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School. For more information on how to document your English language qualifications, see University Admissions in Sweden.

In order to gain admission to courses within the programme, other admission requirements than the above may apply. Such requirements are prescribed in the current course syllabuses.

SELECTION AND GUARANTEED ADMISSION

Number of credits on the closing date for applications.

Students admitted to the programme are guaranteed admission to the courses within the programme to the extent and scope that is defined in the programme syllabus. Guaranteed admission applies to no more than 30 credits per semester and is conditional to the student meeting the specific admission requirements.

OTHER PROVISIONS

The language of instruction is English.

Provisions for the individual courses within the programme are set out in the respective course syllabuses. Information on regulations concerning first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (e.g. admission, examination, credit transfer and degrees as well as delegations), can be found at Örebro University's homepage: https://www.oru.se.

TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Information

Students who have been accepted to and registered on the programme have the right to complete their studies in accordance with the programme syllabus in force at their admission and at the rate of study that applied at the time of their admission.

Students who have been granted the right to take up their studies following an approved leave from studies have the right to continue their studies in accordance with the programme syllabus in force at the time of their admission.

Provisions concerning the right to examination on courses that have been altered or discontinued are laid down in the respective course syllabus or in a separate decision.