Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Medditeranean and Other European Borderlands MA

The programme offers:

• in-depth knowledge of the key theories and concepts of social sciences and cultural studies
• an interdisciplinary approach
• a variety of research methods in cultural studies and social sciences (sociology, politics, economy)
• students’ participation in academic research
• development of cultural awareness and critical thinking

The programme is characterised by a highly individualised approach; it is shaped by the students, who are able to choose among seminars, lectures, and workshops offered each semester. This allows each student to create a programme and an academic schedule tailored to meet their individual interests and needs.

Main themes of studies:

• state – sovereignty – institutions: models of sovereign authority, national state, population management, globalization, institutions
• social change and identity: social movements, revolutions, wars, postmodern condition, post-colonialism, religion, liberalism and individualism
• risks and crises:historical and contemporary crises, risks and conflicts
• challenges of the present and the future: climate catastrophe, mass global and local migrations, the authority of science in the culture of post-truth, quality of democracy, new social movements, hybrid wars, global threats to public health, precarization, work automation, digitization, demographic aging, social inequalities
• lessons from the past: ancient and modern patterns of politics, society and individuals, revolutions and social changes, the role of knowledge and philosophy, all presented particularly in the context of borderland societies: Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries

Types of classes:

• research seminars
• workshops (methods of cultural studies and methods of social sciences)
• monographic seminars ( in-depth study within one discipline)
• seminars on culture of a selected region

A graduate of the ISSC programme is characterised by:

• broad humanistic knowledge:the basics of social science and high level of skills in an interdisciplinary approach to cultural and social issues
• intercultural communication: teamwork in an international environment, creativity, the ability to learn efficiently, presenting ideas and views in speech and writing
• linguistic competence: reading and speaking fluently in English, both in the professional and academic contexts; academic writing skills
• collecting, interpreting and visualizing various types of data : Big Data, data on complex social phenomena like crises and identity issues, migration, inequalities and demographic changes
• useful academic and practical competences: the ability to plan, prepare and implement a research process; the ability to process and visualize data in an innovative manner

The programme is tailor-made for those interested in pursuing their careers in a variety of social and cultural institutions, both state and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as culture animators, educators, journalists, intercultural communication or media relations specialists.