Social Sciences (research)

Contents of the programme As disciplinary boundaries are beginning to fall and methodological conflicts are gradually being overcome, the social sciences have gained enormous impetus. The objective of the Social Science Research Master programme is to enable excellent and ambitious students from various backgrounds in the social and behavioural sciences to develop the skills necessary for holding research positions in both the academic and non-academic world, focusing on the analysis and resolution of social processes and problems. The programme is set up as an interdisciplinary forum, combining inputs from sociology, political science, and anthropology. Its mission is to motivate and improve the discourse between different theoretical and methodological approaches and its aim is to shape open-minded specialists in their respective fields who are both willing and able to tear down walls between social science disciplines and methodological belief systems. Hence training in theory development, methodology and methods is at the centre of the curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the ability to develop and conduct an independent research project. While students have the possibility to specialize in either empirical-analytical or interpretive methodologies, they are encouraged to embark on interdisciplinary and methodologically heterogeneous endeavours. This curriculum is set within three broad areas of substantive research: socio-economics, changing cultures and identities, and governance and democracy. You will study the relevant literature, be challenged by state-of-the-art theories and methodologies, and learn to combine these elements in an innovative and relevant research design. The courses are taught by top-ranking scholars associated to the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences of the University of Amsterdam, whose Departments of Political Science and Sociology and Anthropology are among the largest and most reputable in Europe. Each semester is organized around a particular centre of gravity: (1) theoretical approaches, (2) methodology and data collection, (3) data analysis, (4) data interpretation and master thesis. The program is supported by the Amsterdam School for Social Science Research (ASSR), the Amsterdam School of Communication Research (ASCoR), the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and the Department of Political Science. A cooperation with the Erasmus University Rotterdam is being set up.Student profile The criteria for admission are as follows: bachelor's degree in Political Science, Sociology or Anthropology or another social science discipline with a minimum average grade of 7.5 an active interest in research as indicated by the choice of courses attended at undergraduate levels a score of 600 or more on the TOEFL test a written statement explaining the motivation for application the quality of the candidate's final bachelor's or other dissertation an interview with the selection committee to assess the analytical level of the candidate (overseas candidates where physical distance presents prohibitive costs may instead be asked to send a second letter of recommendation and a second paper) students wishing to write an MA thesis in Anthropology are required to show sufficient fluency in languages necessary for conducting their chosen fieldwork For strong and motivated candidates who are enrolled in or who have completed a one-year MA in one of the specified social science disciplines, admission to the research MA will be subject to the following criteria: an average grade of at least 7.5 in the programme, or of 7.5 in the first semester of their MA programme and a positive recommendation from at least two tutors of that programme they must have demonstrated sufficient potential for independent, project-based research. If these two additional conditions are satisfied, the Research MA Programme Directors may at their discretion and based on an assessment of the candidate's previous training exempt candidates from specific elements of the curriculum. Student profile The criteria for admission are as follows: bachelor's degree in Political Science, Sociology or Anthropology or another social science discipline with a minimum average grade of 7.5 an active interest in research as indicated by the choice of courses attended at undergraduate levels a score of 600 or more on the TOEFL test a written statement explaining the motivation for application the quality of the candidate's final bachelor's or other dissertation an interview with the selection committee to assess the analytical level of the candidate (overseas candidates where physical distance presents prohibitive costs may instead be asked to send a second letter of recommendation and a second paper) students wishing to write an MA thesis in Anthropology are required to show sufficient fluency in languages necessary for conducting their chosen fieldwork For strong and motivated candidates who are enrolled in or who have completed a one-year MA in one of the specified social science disciplines, admission to the research MA will be subject to the following criteria: an average grade of at least 7.5 in the programme, or of 7.5 in the first semester of their MA programme and a positive recommendation from at least two tutors of that programme they must have demonstrated sufficient potential for independent, project-based research. If these two additional conditions are satisfied, the Research MA Programme Directors may at their discretion and based on an assessment of the candidate's previous training exempt candidates from specific elements of the curriculum.