6 ECTS credits
152 h study time
Offer 2 with catalog number 4000861FER for all students in the 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.
This course aims for an in-depth sociological analysis of important current societal challenges with implications for the well-being of the population in its broadest sense. Each academic year, three topics will be chosen. Each topic will be tackled in a separate module, following a fixed 4-week programme: first the topic will be framed theoretically, in a second step the topic will be analysed from an empirical point of view (analysis of problems, challenges, important debates, populations affected, etc.), in a third step we will investigate current and potential policy strategies to tackle the identified societal challenge(s).
Every module will therefore consist of theoretical study material, situated and framed with empirical evidence in connection with information on policy measures/options. The topics and debates will be made tangible for the students, using audio-visual material, through an excursion, debates, contacts with experts, … besides to the standard lectures.
Students are expected to assimilate the obligatory literature and other sources in an independent manner. In that way they are stimulated to form their own informed and critical views regarding the topics under study.
A reader will be composed on each of the selected topics. This reader will be made available on the learning platform in electronic format. Students are expected to process this material in an independent way. In doing so, the lectures and handouts provided can serve as an aid.
Students have acquired profound insight into the complexity and multi-layered nature of important contemporary societal challenges and are able:
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Written Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Students prepare a 3,000-word essay on one of the themes of their choice.
In the essay, they make their own critical analysis of the theme, partly using knowledge from the study material, but also looking for additional source material.
The use of generative AI is limited on this assignment. The student may only use generative AI to correct spelling and grammar. If this is done, it must be mentioned in a footnote and properly referenced for each use of AI (see reference list AI).
The result from the first session for the examination component "essay" can be carried over to the second session provided that the student had passed that examination component.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Work and Organisational Psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Psychology: Profile Profile Clinical psychology (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Adult Education: Profile Cultural Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Adult Education: Profile Social Studies (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Sociology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Behavioural Sciences: agogische wetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Social Sciences: politieke wetenschappen en sociologie (90 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Social Sciences: criminologische wetenschappen (90 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)