Master in Sociology: Risk, Resilience, Working Life, 120 credits
Syllabus:
Masterprogram i Sociologi: Risk, resiliens, arbetsliv, 120 hp
Master in Sociology: Risk, Resilience, Working Life, 120 credits
General data
- Code: SSRRA
- Cycle: Second cycle
- Ref no: MIUN 2023/2692
- Credits: 120
- Answerable department: Humanities and Social Sciences
- Approved: 2024-08-29
- Version valid from: 2025-09-01
Aim
The two-year Master's Program in Sociology aims to provide students with thorough knowledge about the subject, a unique opportunity to gain quality education through cutting-edge taught courses and research, allowing them to develop the ability to independently use sociological theory and methodology to analyse societal issues, especially within the programme's fields of specialisation, carry out independent scientific work and to develop skills necessary to find employment worldwide.
Programme objectives
In addition to the general learning goals specified by The Swedish Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9 and Higher Education Ordinance, Annex 2, the following learning goals apply to the Master (two years) in Sociology.
Upon successful completion of the programme, students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the programme areas, including an overview of the field, advanced knowledge of key concepts, and current research and development.
- Through independent work, be able to collect, integrate and generate the knowledge needed to deal with complex problems in the programme areas and to make assessments based on scientific methods and ethical judgements.
- Apply relevant theoretical and empirical knowledge from the programme areas in research as well as in non-academic settings.
- Integrate knowledge and methods from the three programme areas in both research and applied work.
- Be able to link methodological and theoretical knowledge in the programme areas to current and future needs for research and investigation.
- Know and apply various ethical aspects relevant to the areas of the programme.
Content
Semester 1
Sociology MA, Risk, Resilience, and Working Life: A Sociological Introduction, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Micro Sociological Theory: Perspectives on Risk, Resilience and Working Life, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Macro Sociological Theory: Perspective on Risk, Resilience and Working Life, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Foundations for Knowledge Production, 7.5 credits
Semester 2
Sociology MA, Qualitative Methods, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Quantitative Methods, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Sociology of Risk and Uncertainty, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Sustainable Working Life and Welfare Systems, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Independent Project, 15 credits This course only applies to the one-year master's degree. It replaces the two latter courses of the semester.
Semester 3
Sociology MA, Public Policy: Theory and Practice, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Evaluation Methods, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Internship, 15 credits This course is elective and replaces the first two courses of the semester. More information can be found under Other information.
Sociology MA, Sociology of Crises and Disaster Risk Reduction, 7.5 credits
Sociology MA, Research Design, 7.5 credits
Semester 4
Sociology MA, Independent Project, 30 credits
During the study period, the names of courses and course elements, contents and localization may be subjected to certain changes.
Entry requirements
A bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits in social or behavioural sciences, of which a minimum of 60 credits in sociology. An independent project/thesis in social or behavioural sciences at the bachelor’s level equivalent to 15 credits. English course 6/English course B from Swedish Upper Secondary School. (Gymnasium) or the equivalent.
Description of programme
The Master´s Programme in Sociology provides rigorous, in-depth research training, preparing students for PhD studies in social science and a broad range of advanced professional careers beyond the university. The program enables the student to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to conduct societal analysis and acquire specialised knowledge of sociology and the programme’s specialisation fields of *risk*, *resilience*, and *working life*. In the program, an equality and sustainability perspective is integrated, which enables students to critically reflect and problematize gender equality and sustainable development in relation to the program's areas of specialization. As a result, the programme integrates in-depth subject knowledge with several perspectives and links with the broader society.
By integrating Mid Sweden University's decade-long research in risk, crisis, resilience, and working life with the programme, students will gain a unique competence profile that is highly sought after in a wide range of fields, including governmental, non-governmental and private sectors. Students will also learn about research design, which will provide a good foundation for PhD studies.
Above and beyond the academic training, several courses help students acquire practical abilities and integrate ideas from a variety of professional fields.
The programme provides opportunities for both internships and exchange studies.
Selection rules and procedures
The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.
Programme with restricted admissions
There are no specific restrictions, except for the prerequisites specified in the respective syllabuses.
Teaching and examination
Each course's syllabus specifies the methods of teaching and assessment.
All classes are taught in English.
Title of qualification
Masterexamen
Degree of Master of Arts/Science (120 credits)
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Sociology
Other information
It is possible to finish the programme after one year (depending on the choice of courses) with a Master of Arts (60 credits) with a major in Sociology.
The third semester of the programme is available for exchange studies.
Students who choose to do an internship within the programme must notify the programme coordinator no less than six months in advance. The students arrange their own placements, which must be approved by the programme coordinator before the course starts.
The programme provides a foundation for postgraduate studies. Students will be exposed to and interact with key stakeholders in several relevant industries during the programme. The students' in-depth independent work (master thesis) promotes interaction with the actors, which may lead to future internships or employment.