The Research Master’s programme in Social and Cultural Science has a course load of 120 EC (two years). Half of the Master’s programme in Social and Cultural Science consists of practical research training.
In the first year, you will do a research project in which you conduct a small-scale empirical research under guided supervision of a researcher. You will write your process and research results like a scientific journal paper. The project is done in small groups (2-3 students) and prepares you well to independently conduct a comparative empirical social science study for your Master’s thesis in the second year.
Core of the programme
In the core of the programme, students will be made familiar with the theories and methodological approaches that bind the different social science disciplines. The courses that constitute the core are followed by all students together. This ensures multidisciplinary views on the research themes inequality, cohesion and cultural diversity. Furthermore, you will have to choose one track.
The three tracks of Social and Cultural Science
By choosing one of the tracks below, you will deepen your knowledge in an area that best matches your interests. The tracks have different theoretical and methodological focuses. All students have the possibility to further personalise their programme through elective courses or an (international) internship.
Comparative Sociological Research
Questions regarding cohesion and inequality; has a focus on cohesion and inequality in Western societies and on quantitative research methods.
Comparative Anthropological and Development Studies Research
Questions regarding Cultural Diversity and Inequality; focuses on cultural diversity and inequality in non-Western societies and on qualitative research methods.
Comparative Political Research
Questions regarding political representation, conflict and inequality, focuses on political institutions and actors, in (non-)democracies and on quantitative and qualitative research methods.
In this track, you gain insight into how inequalities, social and cultural diversity shape political interests, conflicts and power. Politics is much more than just elections; it’s also about interest groups such as trade unions, grass roots mobilisation, social movements, protests and revolutions. How do social cleavages create conflicting political interests, and how do political actors respond to this? How do institutions enable and constrain political actors, and when do they succeed or fail in creating change? You will learn how to address such questions through rigorous, theory-driven empirical research.
Electives
During the programme students may choose elective courses (depending on the selected track, 6 or 12 EC in year 1, 12 or 18 EC in year 2). It is hereby possible to follow courses of all three tracks. In choosing your electives, you have the opportunity to select Master's courses offered within or outside the faculty or even outside Radboud University. Many students opt for a (international) research internship of 6 or 12 EC in year 2 to experience the professional side of empirical research in practice. To give you some inspiration, please have a look at the following list of courses (pdf, 154 kB) that previous students have followed as elective course. Students have to apply for approval for elective courses by the examination board. For more information on the procedure see here.
Master’s thesis
For your Master’s thesis you are completely free to tackle any social issue in the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, development studies, political science or communication science. Important is the ability to reflect on the societal significance of your research question and the societal importance of your research. The end product will be a manuscript ready to be submitted to a scientific journal. A large number of our students have been able to publish papers based on their thesis which is a great start to a promising career in research.