Master of ArtsStudies in European

Societies – SES Presentation of the MA Programme at the St.

Petersburg State University 2009

www.european-studies.ruwww.zdes.spb.ru

Welcome to the Website of the Masters Programme "Studies in European Societies"!The Faculty of Sociology of St. Petersburg State University in cooperation with Bielefeld University (Germany) offers a two-year multidisciplinary Masters programme that provides students with a thorough understanding of European societies.The programme is designed for highly motivated students who want to pursue a career in the developing European-Russian relations and get executive positions in political agencies, non-profit organisations or private businesses, whether on the local, national or international level.

It is supported by the Centre for German and European Studies (Zentrum fuer Deutschland- und Europastudien, ZDES) and co-financed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Main features/ advantages• Taught in English• Free tuition (for graduates

of BA or Diploma Specialist)• Interim scholarship for

students from Russian province

• The two-year Master of Sociology degree “Studies in European Societies” (SES) is the first of its kind in Russia

• Unique combination of academic and cultural learning

• Multidisciplinary programme

• Problem-oriented approach

Target group (to whom?)

• The programme is designed for highly motivated students who want to:– pursue a career in the developing European-

Russian relations– get executive positions in political agencies, non-

profit or private business organisations, whether on the local, regional, national or international level.

Intensive curriculum

• Combining theories and methods of social science

• Problem-oriented topics

• Multicultural understanding of modern European societies.

Curriculum Outline

• Introductory Module

• The Political Europe

• The Economic Europe

• The Social Europe

• The Multicultural Europe

Introductory Module

• Methodological Basis of Social Science Cognition • Classical and Modern Theoretical Foundations of

Studies in European Societies (Disciplinary and Multidisciplinary Approaches)

• Methodology of Comparative Social Research• Statistical Methods in Social Research• Design of Empirical Social Research• Research Seminar for the Preparation of the MA-

Thesis • Theory and Practice of Applied Research - Preparation

of Internship

The Political Europe

• Constitutional Principles of European Democracies• EU Governance and European Constitutionalization • Redefining Political Relationships between Europe

and the NIS• Nationalistic/Ethnic/Religious Conflicts and

Cooperation in Europe • Regionalization and Multi-Level Governance in

Europe

The Economic Europe• The European Regimes of Production and

Consumption• European Market Economies between Global

Competition, Regionalisation, and Political Regulation

• Labour Markets, Labour Market Performance, and Employment Policies

• Industrial Relations: Legal Framework, Collective Bargaining, and Deregulation

• Political Economy of the European Integration

The Social Europe

• Evolution and Institutionalization of Social Welfare Systems

• Differentiation and Social Inequality in European Countries

• Challenges and Crisis of Welfare Institutions in Western and Eastern Europe

• Social Security and Personal/Socio-Economic Risks (Illness, Invalidity, Old Age, Unemployment, Poverty)

• Russia and Europe under the eye of globalization

The Multicultural Europe• Normative Foundations of European Civil Society• Authenticity and Identity: Nations, People, and

Religions• Changing Identities inside and beyond the Nation

State• Migration into and inside Europe and Politics of

Exclusion/Integration• Minorities in Europe – Identities, Rights, and

Models of Integration

Internship"Theory-Practice-Reflection"

Theory•Labour Markets•Globalization•Social Enequality•Welfare State Politics•European integration•…

Practice How are organisations (European institutions, NGOs etc.)dealing with these questions? How can the knowledge I am gaining in this programme be helpful for these organisations? What skills am I lacking?

• Making contacts to possible future employers

• Combining the theoretical knowledge gained in the courses with practical experience

• Strengthen your CV

• Gaining material for the Master Thesis

Why internships? To gain knowledge/competences that can be To gain knowledge/competences that can be

helpful in later jobshelpful in later jobs

To check out a job/an occupational area that To check out a job/an occupational area that seems to be interestingseems to be interesting

Highlight

• Winter School in Germany (Berlin and Bielefeld)- Discussion with Members of German Parliament- Visiting of political institutions (political foundations,

Information Office of the EU, German Bundestag, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

- Meetings with different NGOs, social and cultural organizations

- German language courses (4hrs. daily)- Visiting of companies (f.e. Bertelsmann, Westfalenblatt,

Herforder Brewery, Dr. Oetker)- City Guided Tours - Welcome and Farewell Party