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The Master's programme "Sociology - European Societies" is unique in character and differs from other sociological Master's programmes in the following ways:
While sociology usually focuses on the analysis of one national society, this programme emphasises the comparative study of different European societies. In addition to the comparison of European societies, we inquire about the increasing integration and the development of a common European society. Finally, we do not only analyse European societies, but we compare them to other world regions and examine the consequences of globalisation for Europe.
Background:
As an independent European governance structure, the European Union presently pushes economic systems, gender roles, and family models of its member states towards greater homogenisation. Education policies are being synchronised due to international evaluations. Member states are becoming ever closer, and intra-European exchange and communication have increased considerably while also reaching a higher standard. In addition, these processes take place in a context of increasing globalisation.
The research-oriented Master's programme centres around three main questions:
1. How does the European economic and political consolidation process impact on participating national societies? What convergences of social structures, economic orders, and cultural systems can be found among the member states of the European Union and which theories describe these processes the best? To what extent does a European society already exist?
2. How much cultural and social convergence is necessary for an integrated Europe? Is a European identity essential? What are the socio-structural and cultural limits of further integration?
3. What are the similarities and characteristics of European societies compared to other world regions? How can we understand globalisation and how do different aspects of globalisation (e.g. economically and culturally) affect European societies?
While sociology usually focuses on the analysis of one national society, this programme emphasises the comparative study of different European societies. In addition to the comparison of European societies, we inquire about the increasing integration and the development of a common European society. Finally, we do not only analyse European societies, but we compare them to other world regions and examine the consequences of globalisation for Europe.
Background:
As an independent European governance structure, the European Union presently pushes economic systems, gender roles, and family models of its member states towards greater homogenisation. Education policies are being synchronised due to international evaluations. Member states are becoming ever closer, and intra-European exchange and communication have increased considerably while also reaching a higher standard. In addition, these processes take place in a context of increasing globalisation.
The research-oriented Master's programme centres around three main questions:
1. How does the European economic and political consolidation process impact on participating national societies? What convergences of social structures, economic orders, and cultural systems can be found among the member states of the European Union and which theories describe these processes the best? To what extent does a European society already exist?
2. How much cultural and social convergence is necessary for an integrated Europe? Is a European identity essential? What are the socio-structural and cultural limits of further integration?
3. What are the similarities and characteristics of European societies compared to other world regions? How can we understand globalisation and how do different aspects of globalisation (e.g. economically and culturally) affect European societies?
Educational organisation
First semester:The first semester requires compulsory attendance in three modules. Each module consists of a lecture and respective seminars. Each module carries 10 ECTS credits. The lecture is assessed by a written exam (90 minutes, 5 ECTS credits) at the end of the semester. The seminar requires the successful completion of a written assignment (3,000 words, 5 ECTS credits).
The three basic modules of the first semester give an overview of the political institutions and systems of the EU and the development of European societies on a national level since 1945, of sociological theories used to describe developmental processes of modern societies, and of social research methods employed in analysing these processes.
Second semester:
In the second semester attendance in three modules is also compulsory. Each module consists of a lecture and the respective seminars. Each module carries 10 ECTS credits. The lecture is assessed by a written exam (90 minutes, 5 ECTS credits) at the end of the semester. The seminar requires the successful completion of a written assignment (3,000 words, 5 ECTS credits).
The second semester concentrates on the analysis of main features of the social structures and culture 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 gives students the opportunity to put their research skills into practice. During the research placement, students participate in a special research seminar (four hours per week) that is related to one of the topics outlined in the modules of the second semester. The research seminar offers the framework for the students' supervised, but independently conducted, empirical research on the chosen topic. Students need to hand in a research report that consists of approx. 10,000 words. The class carries 15 ECTS credits in total.
The second module of the third semester consists of two specialised seminars. Students are free to choose from are variety of seminars addressing topics related to previous modules of the programme. Each seminar 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 attend a final Master's colloquium where students present and discuss the results of their theses. The thesis should be some 25,000 words or 80 pages long. It carries 30 ECTS credits and has to be completed within five months after registering for the thesis.
Study abroad unit(s)
A stay abroad is not compulsory for studies in the Master's programme. However, you are welcome to study abroad, e.g. through the ERASMUS scheme. Please note that a one-year study programme at a foreign university can more easily be integrated into the Master's programme due to its modular structure. Shorter periods, e.g. one semester, are more difficult to integrate, since each module is offered only once per academic year. You might have to wait until the following semester to complete your studies in Berlin. Solutions to the latter problem are:- finding a foreign university with similar units on offer and obtaining the respective ECTS credits there
- or spending the final semester abroad. Although in this case the last semester would have to be postponed, students would not be obliged to attend additional units.
Internships
A research placement is part of the course. Students will conduct individual research projects during the third semester and thereby prepare for their final thesis.Forms of assessment
There are no final examinations. All examinations take place after the respective lectures or seminars. The following assessment methods are possible:- written examination of 60 minutes for lectures in the first and second semesters
- written assignments of 3,000 words for seminars in the first and second semesters
- oral exams for selected seminars in the second semester
- a research report of 10,000 words for the research placement in the third semester
- the Master's thesis in the final semester consisting of approx. 25,000 words (80 pages)
Course objectives
The course is a research-oriented programme that benefits from its local and institutional connectedness to well-established German science and research centres. It aims at enabling students to use the theoretical and empirical tools of sociology to:- describe and explain socio-cultural, economic and cultural differences between the EU member states in a scientifically elaborated manner
- analyse changes within the European Community caused by economic and political integration and analyse the development of a European society
- analyse Europe within the context of globalisation and in contrast to other regions of the world
Language requirements
The course offers units in German and in English. Therefore all Master's modules contain at least a lecture in English, and seminars in German or in English. Accordingly, it is possible to study the Master's course entirely in English.If you are not a native English speaker, or if the language of instruction at your previous university was not English, we ask you to provide evidence of strong English language competence. Your level of competence should be equivalent to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The following test results, among other tests and certificates, will be accepted:
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
- paper-based: 500
- computer-based: 170
- Internet-based: 80
IELTS (International English Language Testing System):
- 5.0 scores
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)/Cambridge Certificate:
- First Certificate (FCE)
- Advanced (CAE)
- Proficiency (CPE)
UNICERT:
- UNICERT II, at least with grade C (3.0)
English in school:
- at least six years of school instruction in the subject English
Stay abroad:
- studies at an anglophone university/in an anglophone programme/of anglophone courses of at least one semester/trimester and three courses
The acceptance of other forms of evidence for English language competency is at the committee's discretion. To that effect, amount, level, and evaluation (grades) of your English course or test must be identifiable for an adequate assessment.
Academic requirements
The programme is aimed at graduates of sociology and of other social studies whose first degree incorporates some 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits related to sociology. Programme admission requires a written application and a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) and proof of good English language skills.Enrolment fees
Students will have to pay enrolment fees (Semestergebühren) of currently about 300 EUR per semester. This includes administration fees for (re)registration, a social service contribution to the German Studentenwerk, a contribution to the student union, and costs for a student ticket for public transport (tariff zones ABC - Greater Berlin).Costs of living
Approx. 600-800 EUR per month to cover personal expenses.Job opportunities
Berlin offers plenty of job opportunities for students. In recent semesters, many of our students have been employed at the Freie Universität Berlin itself or at one of the course's partner institutions, such as the Berlin Social Science Center (WZB) or the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW). Being able to work at these well-known institutions offers students insights into "real" social science, complements the other course elements, and equips students particularly well with practical skills.Arrival support
Each year, the course starts with a welcome ceremony organised by the faculty in which newly arrived students have a chance to get to know each other, to speak to teachers and to walk around the institute and the Freie Universität Berlin.In addition, the Institute of Sociology invites prospective students to visit its Open House event in April. Interested students gain an insight into the Master's programme and have the opportunity to talk to teaching staff and current students. Participants are also invited to attend a lecture of the Master's programme.
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