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The Master's programme Ethics - Economics, Law and Politics (EELP) is an interdisciplinary and research-focused degree programme. In the style of very successful similar study courses in the English-speaking world, four faculties carry out the programme: philosophy, law, economics and social science. The theoretical and empirical insights of the three socio-scientific disciplines is combined with the explicitly normative orientation of philosophy.
The content of the programme consists of four main topics, each with a normative and a descriptive and/or analytic emphasis:
GLOBALISATION AND JUSTICE
The globalisation of the economy and other social structures is rapidly increasing. Still, the question remains to what extent issues of justice are considered in this process. Do the poor benefit in any way from globalisation or are they simply neglected? Is justice a suitable normative category to evaluate economic and social developments on a global scale?
MARKETS AND MORALITY
In economic theories the market is often regarded as a system devoid of morality. Moral considerations seem to come into play only with regard to regulatory law, if they come into play at all. Is this model appropriate for the description of markets at the present time? Is morality to be considered as a social resource within the markets? Which agents in markets are moral agents and which moral norms are effective for them?
ADMINISTRATION AND RESPONSIBILITY
Functionally differentiated societies are administrated through complex structures of bureaucracy. Those administrations are often characterised by a maze of opaque bureaucratic regulations. To whom are those administrations accountable? Who is to be responsible, who is accountable to the public? How can we organise administrations so that they behave more responsibly?
WELFARE AND DIGNITY
In western industrial societies welfare systems are quite sophisticated. Most states provide extensive health care systems and more or less extensive social insurance systems. But do those systems keep the balance between efficiency and respect to the people who depend on their benefits? How do dignity, solidarity and sustainable medical care find a balance within health care policy?
A competent approach to these topics demands knowledge about the frameworks of law and political circumstances as well as economic expertise and competence for normative reflection. All these skills are conveyed throughout the course of study. Thus, our students are able to comprehend the full extent of current economic challenges, such as the financial crisis, global poverty, growing costs of health care systems, etc.
The programme is aimed at excellent Bachelor's degree holders and young professionals who wish to tackle major issues in politics or the economy, as well as those who aspire to an outstanding and future-oriented research activity.
Students are trained to become excellent problem-solvers, highly qualified in the field of research - qualifications that are increasingly in demand in business, politics and organisations. In the first year of their studies, students acquire basic knowledge; in the second year, they develop their own projects. Applied projects can be combined with an internship abroad, while research-oriented projects can be carried out at our international partner institutes.
The content of the programme consists of four main topics, each with a normative and a descriptive and/or analytic emphasis:
GLOBALISATION AND JUSTICE
The globalisation of the economy and other social structures is rapidly increasing. Still, the question remains to what extent issues of justice are considered in this process. Do the poor benefit in any way from globalisation or are they simply neglected? Is justice a suitable normative category to evaluate economic and social developments on a global scale?
MARKETS AND MORALITY
In economic theories the market is often regarded as a system devoid of morality. Moral considerations seem to come into play only with regard to regulatory law, if they come into play at all. Is this model appropriate for the description of markets at the present time? Is morality to be considered as a social resource within the markets? Which agents in markets are moral agents and which moral norms are effective for them?
ADMINISTRATION AND RESPONSIBILITY
Functionally differentiated societies are administrated through complex structures of bureaucracy. Those administrations are often characterised by a maze of opaque bureaucratic regulations. To whom are those administrations accountable? Who is to be responsible, who is accountable to the public? How can we organise administrations so that they behave more responsibly?
WELFARE AND DIGNITY
In western industrial societies welfare systems are quite sophisticated. Most states provide extensive health care systems and more or less extensive social insurance systems. But do those systems keep the balance between efficiency and respect to the people who depend on their benefits? How do dignity, solidarity and sustainable medical care find a balance within health care policy?
A competent approach to these topics demands knowledge about the frameworks of law and political circumstances as well as economic expertise and competence for normative reflection. All these skills are conveyed throughout the course of study. Thus, our students are able to comprehend the full extent of current economic challenges, such as the financial crisis, global poverty, growing costs of health care systems, etc.
The programme is aimed at excellent Bachelor's degree holders and young professionals who wish to tackle major issues in politics or the economy, as well as those who aspire to an outstanding and future-oriented research activity.
Students are trained to become excellent problem-solvers, highly qualified in the field of research - qualifications that are increasingly in demand in business, politics and organisations. In the first year of their studies, students acquire basic knowledge; in the second year, they develop their own projects. Applied projects can be combined with an internship abroad, while research-oriented projects can be carried out at our international partner institutes.
Educational organisation
The degree programme Ethics - Economics, Law and Politics (EELP) is regularly studied over a period of four semesters (two years of study). It is conceived as a project-oriented programme.INTERDISCIPLINARY ORIENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME
The Master's programme Ethics - Economics, Politics and Law (EELP) offers a broad and interdisciplinary course of study: it combines knowledge and skills of normatively oriented, practical philosophy with those of empirically oriented social science. It focuses in particular on qualifying students for independent, normative reflection and rational analysis with regard to current normative problems.
This special qualification constitutes the attractive, core principal of combining ethics with economics, law and politics. The four main topics of the programme are decidedly interdisciplinary: Globalisation and Justice, Market and Morality, Administration and Responsibility, and Welfare and Human Dignity.
PROJECT-ORIENTED STUDIES
The first year of studies focuses on fundamental, specialised knowledge of ethics, politics, law and economics. In the second year, the individual interests of each student, in practical experience and research, are improved and expanded upon in their own projects. These projects are systematically directed towards the completion of a Master's thesis in the fourth semester.
Applied projects are combined with an internship in business or an area related to politics, which lasts for four to six months. For instance, the internship can be completed at one of our partner corporations and the Master's thesis can be written about the ethical deficiencies of corporate communications.
Research-oriented projects do not have to be combined with an internship. They are more closely related to research carried out by the EELP faculty. Research abroad is possible, for example, at the Centre for Ethics at the University of Zurich or at the Ethics Institute of Utrecht.
COURSE OF STUDIES
The programme offers nine modules; seven have to be completed by the students. Standard time to degree: four semesters; workload: overall 120 ECTS - 96 ECTS for certified modules, 20 ECTS for the Master's thesis, six ECTS for the oral Master's colloquium
MODULE "INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY"
The module "Interdisciplinary Research and Methodology" is conducted over a period of two semesters as an integral part of the EELP programme. This module connects the other modules and lays the foundation for independent, interdisciplinary research. A basic feature of this module is that students with different Bachelor's degrees work in tandem. Additionally, the module is composed of two specific tutorials, an interdisciplinary lecture series, a colloquium and a summer school.
Study abroad unit(s)
It is possible to study abroad during the third semester. At the moment we have partnerships in the Netherlands and in Austria, but a research stay in other countries is also possible.Internships
It is possible to do an internship during the third semester. Students are responsible to look for an internship on their own. Programme advisers can assist students in finding an internship.Forms of assessment
In the course, examinations will normally be in the form of papers, essays, presentations and oral exams, as these kinds of examinations foster the skills required for future employment.Course objectives
ACADEMIC CAREER OR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN POLITICS AND THE ECONOMYDegree holders will develop the abilities required for employment in research and beyond. The Master's degree allows for the pursuit of a PhD in one of the participating disciplines. Beyond research, degree holders are prepared for a wide range of responsible positions in management, organisations or political parties, as consultants to NGOs, in administration task forces and in the fields of organisational development and human resources development.
By improving their competences in normative reflection and rational thinking, holders of the EELP degree are able to understand complex environments, acquire new fields of knowledge quickly and take decisions with an understanding of their ethical consequences and implications.
GENERALISTS WITH UNIQUE FEATURES
On the one hand, the EELP Master's degree programme and the interdisciplinary mentoring of the Master's thesis offer ideal opportunities for early specialisation. Students can develop an individual profile with unique features. On the other hand, they are provided with general and fundamental skills and strategies for problem-solving. Thus, our degree holders are generalists who can work in different areas of operation. And because of the international orientation of the programme, they are well prepared for the international job market.
Language requirements
All applicants must provide proof of their English skills. This can be done in one of the following ways: TOEFL paper-based test 550, TOEFL computer-based test 230, TOEFL internet-based test 88, CPE (grades A-C), CAE (grades A-C), IELTS (bands 9-6), UNICERT II.Academic requirements
For admission to the programme, a first degree (university or college of higher education, e.g. Bachelor's degree, licentiate degree, state examination) in philosophy, economics, law or political science is required. If the Bachelor's programme consisted of two subjects, 65 ECTS must have been acquired in one of the subjects relevant to the EELP programme.If there are more applicants than available places in the programme, admissions will be assigned on the basis of the admission grades. These grades are based on the overall grade of the first professional qualification (51%) and the grade earned for the admission essay (49%), which candidates are asked to submit together with their application. Both grades have to be at least satisfactory; lots will be drawn in cases of equal grades. The admission essay should be four to five pages in length. The essay should show that the applicant can independently discuss one of the focus topics of the programme (globalisation and justice, market and morality, administration and responsibility, or welfare and human dignity). The essay serves to determine whether the applicant has a special aptitude for the EELP programme.
Enrolment fees
Approx. 300 EUR per semesterThe fee includes a semester ticket covering public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Costs of living
Minimum of 670 EUR per month to cover personal and living expensesJob opportunities
There are many different opportunities for jobs, as Bochum is in the centre of a metropolitan area with a population of more than five million.Funding opportunities within the university
Students with an outstanding academic performance who are involved in special social activities can each receive 300 EUR per month for a year from the Ruhr-Universität Scholarship Fund.International students with a good to very good academic performance who have demonstrated outstanding commitment in the RUB's international context can receive 300 EUR per month for six months from the RUB International Office.
International students with a good to very good academic performance who are reliant on financial support during their final phase of study can receive 400 EUR per month for four months from the RUB International Office.
(http://international.rub.de/rubiss/finanzielles/iostipendium.html.en)
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