The International Joint Master’s Degree in Cultural Sociology was developed within the TEMPUS project »Example of Excellence of Joint (Degree) Programmes in Southeastern Europe – JOINSEE (JP 144949-2008)« (2009-2011). The study programme is organised by four universities: Karl-Franzens University in Graz, the University of Zadar, University of Trento and Masaryk University in Brno, whose adademic staff jointly developed the study curriculum and learning outcomes.

The study programme will admit the first students in the academic year 2012/2013. It is estimated  that up to 12 students can enrol at each of the four universities. The students who complete the programme will receive a joint diploma from all four universities. All students will spend at least one term at one of the partner institutions and visiting modules given by teaching staff from each university have also been planned, as well as the possibility to acquire ECTS points within jointly organised summer schools.

The study programme is international and  meets certain goals not only at local, regional and national levels, but also supranational. According to the study programme, the mission of the Cultural Sociology degree is to ensure an international Master degree of highest quality which enables those participating in it to contribute as scientists and public policy makers to social transformation and development in conditions in which the world is becoming more and more connected and globalised.

In this sense, the focus of the course is on scientific research which serves social, cultural and economic development. The course advances theoretically and methodologically valid scientific research, which is necessary for social and cultural analysis in a complex global context characterised by simple and advanced forms of modernity.

The aim of the Cultural Sociology programme is to develop students' independent, critical and creative thinking with the intention of producing original scientific contributions. The programme offers the possibility for study continuation at Doctoral level, as well the competences and skills which enable employment internationally in the public and private sector, as well as non-governmental sector. Public bodies include the EU, national, regional and local public administration bodies, university management and administration, as well as diverse public agencies and consultative bodies. Potential private sector employers include different consultative bodies in the area of public opinion research and marketing, as well as media organisations and employers in the area of creative industries. Employment possibilities in the non-governmental sector include a variety of roles from managing projects to research and project evaluation.

The course has also been developed as a contribution to Bologna process developments, or more precisely as an instrument contributing to the creation of a European higher education area (EHEA). The accreditation process and the programme's implementation assume joint quality assurance and joint diploma recognition. In this sense, the programme contributes to the harmonisation of European study programmes, transparency of curriculum implementation, increased student and teacher mobility and the international mobility of graduates. In addition, academic excellence and the increase of choice within joint degree programmes of this kind contribute to the attractiveness of the European higher education area.

Length of study: 4 semesters, 2 years

ECTS points: 120

Learning outcomes:

The learning outcomes are defined in line with the Dublin descriptors. Upon completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:

• understand the dynamic, complexities and interactions between social, cultural and economic processes and systems;

• analyse topics in the field of cultural sociology by applying different theoretical and methodological approaches;

• conduct qualitative and quantitative research;

• apply appropriate scientific research methods and instruments;

• apply knowledge and scientific skills required for complex topics within inter and transdisciplinary teams;

•  use social skills such as discussing, conflict management, teamwork, project management in order to contribute to a more just and sustainable society;

•  carry out independent scientific research projects and present their results in the form of a scientific publication or conduct professional evaluations for institutions or the wider public.

Graduates will also have specific learning outcomes in line with the specific aims of individual subjects within the study programme.

Evaluation of learning outcomes: written tests during the semester, independent and group research projects, essays, written and oral exams, independent design and implementation of sociological research projects.

Title awarded upon completion: Master’s Degree in Sociology

Structure of the study programme: 

The structure of the module and subjects offered within modules is the same at all four universities. ECTS points are harmonised in the area of classical and contemporary sociological theories of culture, as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods. In the second and third term of the programme each university offers modules whose specificity enables students to specialise in particular areas. The final term of study is devoted to the final thesis which can be supervised by any of the academic staff members involved in the programme. 

The diagram that follows shows the structure of subjects within particular study terms and a list of modules offered at each of the participating universities.