Master Programme in Social Science: Focus Sociology
Study programme
Prerequisites
General admission requirements for studies at Master's level.
Specific requirements: Upper secondary level Swedish 3 or B and English 6 or A, or equivalent.
For the chosen major:
- History: Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits with a major in history, cultural studies, history of ideas, religion, ethnology, anthropology, or equivalent.
- Human Geography: Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits with a major in human geography/tourism studies with an emphasis on human geography, or equivalent.
- Social Work: General or professional Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits, including a degree project of 15 ECTS cr. with a major in social care or social work, or equivalent.
- Sociology: Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits with a major in sociology or social psychology, or equivalent.
- Political Science: Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS credits with a major in political science, or equivalent.
While studying
Education
The programme involves studies at Master's level in one of the subjects history, human geography, social work, sociology or political science. The programme also includes elective courses, offering opportunities for specialised or broadened knowledge in a multidisciplinary perspective. It offers in-depth subject knowledge with a broadening perspective and preparation for professional life as well as further studies. Students indicate their choice of major on their application.Studies in sociology emphasise independent research and investigation work and aim at deepening students' understanding and analysis of human relations at the individual, group, organisation and society level in a power as well as emotion sociological perspective. The importance of regional and global contexts for people's conditions and quality of life is also considered. The aim of studies in sociology at Master's level is that students acquire specialised knowledge in central sociological areas and develop further abilities to analyse and explore social conditions at different levels.
Form of Instruction
The forms of instruction vary but ususally include lectures, groupwork, seminars and distance study.Examination
Examination and assessment formats are specified in each syllabus.Study Abroad
Students can have the opportunity to study courses abroad.Professional Contact
Students choose the extent of their professional contacts through elective courses.Course of study
| Semester 1 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Sociological Theories (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Organizational Analysis (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Glocal and Local Relations (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Methodologies and Methods in Social Research (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Semester 2 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Evaluation and Evidence in the Public Sector (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Welfares and Social Exclusion (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Sociology IV, Degree Project (Optional) | 15 |
| Semester 3 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Organizing, interaction and society (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Advanced Course in Qualitative and Quantitative analysis (Obligatory) | 7.5 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 7.5 |
| Semester 4 | ECTS credits |
|---|---|
| Sociology IV, V, Essay (Obligatory) | 30 |
| Sociology V, Essay (Optional) | 15 |
| Optional course (Optional) | 15 |
*Full-time study always equals 30 ECTS credits per semester (20 weeks).
Elective course: Students are free to choose among certain alternative courses, often depending on their choice of specialisation.
Optional course: Students are free to choose any course offered at Karlstad University or at other universities. Courses listed are examples of recommended or frequently chosen courses for a specific programme.