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Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work

Abstract

This study programme has an international and interdisciplinary orientation. It provides specialised, in-depth knowledge of social phenomena, institutions, structures, processes, practices and their change. The main focus is on the topics of social inequalities, poverty, work, conflicts, delinquency and gender, and on the cross-sectional fields of politics, social policy and social work. Emphasis is placed on theory-driven comparative research and teaching, as well as on the ability to think critically and call things into question. The methodological training covers a wide range: both qualitative and quantitative empirical methods of social research are taught.
Students choose one of the three Master's options and may complement the in-depth programme by means of a complementary minor study programme. The study programme is offered in German (a number of courses may be offered in English). Bilingual studies (German/French) are possible.

Show the study programme profile

Profile of the study programme

The goal of this Master's programme is to convey specialised, in-depth knowledge of social phenomena, institutions, structures, processes, practices and their change. At its core are the actions of people, groups, organisations and states and the relationships between them. Further matters of interest are the way in which people live and shape their relationships and how they give meaning to their actions and the world they live in.
The orientation of the programme is international and interdisciplinary. The emphasis is on theory-driven comparative research and teaching, as well as the ability to think critically and argue on the basis of evidence and reasoning. The methodological training is broadly conceived: both qualitative and quantitative empirical methods of social research are taught. Students completing the programme are capable of conducting and interpreting complex, qualitative and quantitative research. This opens the gateway to a variety of professions and fields of activity.

Fribourg Profile
The language of tuition is German, a number of courses may be offered in English. Bilingual studies (German/French) are possible.

One of the following options must be selected:

  • Option Sociology
    This option combines sociological theories and empirical social research with the analysis of various topics dealing with issues in the Global North and the Global South. In particular, it offers in-depth comparative analyses of current challenges in various areas of society under conditions of increasing transnationalisation of economics, politics and culture, exacerbation of ecological problems, growth of the world population, and demographic aging in developed market societies and in countries and regions of the Global South. This option promotes a theoretically sound, critical awareness of global inequalities and connections and serves as an introduction to international social analyses.
  • Option Social Policy and Social Work
    Two core issues are paramount in this option. Social and cultural differences (such as education, income, gender or nationality) are central to the justification and understanding of social inequalities. In many cases these reflect varying degrees of access to economic, social and other societal resources. In such instances, latent and manifest social problems develop, which can culminate in political and economic conflicts or delinquency. The topic Production of Welfare focuses on the question of differences between welfare regimes. Social policy and social work are understood as institutional answers to prevention or management of social problems and conflicts on a local, national and global/international level.
  • Option Politics and Society
    This option has a politological orientation. One focal element is that students should be given the opportunity to study aspects of comparative political studies at a more intensive level in lectures and seminars. Here, special attention is paid to political developments in Western and Eastern Europe, which also include illiberal tendencies in politics and society (e.g. populism, increasing power of the executive). Another element is that a central actor of the political system, the state, is examined in a European and a global context. Invariably, strength and weakness of the state are also functions of a social context in which other actors, crises and conflicts are able to challenge the state or even call it into question.

The specialisation programmes worth 30 ECTS credits «Sociology», «Social Policy and Social Work», «Politics and Society» and «Gender, Society, Social Policy» are smaller units which allow students to complement this Master's programme within the Domain.

Learning outcomes and career openings
Learning outcomes
The course of studies provides competences with regard to a variety of problem-related or societal demands by a social lifeworld which is constantly changing. The aim is to raise awareness of real or perceived changes in social problem areas so as to enable a critical reaction in a given situation using scientific insights and concepts, and employing quantitative and qualitative methods.

Career openings
This Master's programme provides the theoretical and conceptual tools required for (executive) posts in public and private organisations, and for research and teaching, as well as in the media. This training readies students for a professional activity in a wide variety of fields, such as analysis, planning, development, leadership, implementation and evaluation of projects in the social services sector; market research and opinion polling, teaching and training, and work within associations, international organisations, development cooperation organisations, or relief agencies.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

90 ECTS credits + 30 ECTS credits as an option in a minor study programme freely chosen, 3-4 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/qsdGc (German)

Comments

The Master programmes Gender, Society, Social Policy; Politics and Society; Social Policy and Social Work; Sociology are offered as minor study programmes and as specialisation programmes (30 ECTS credits).

Admission

Master's degree programmes are built on the knowledge and abilities that were acquired when obtaining a Bachelor's degree.

Holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university can be admitted to a Master's degree programme within the corresponding discipline (requires the acquisition of minimum 60 ECTS credits at Bachelor level in the corresponding discipline) without any additional requirements. The same applies to holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the Bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg.

Holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university or holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the Bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg, can be admitted to a Master's degree programme within another discipline with prerequisites (must be successfully completed before starting the Master's degree programme) or additional requirements (can be completed during the Master's degree programme). According to existing agreements, holders of a Bachelor's degree awarded from a Swiss university of applied sciences can also be admitted with prerequisites or additional requirements.

The respective conditions of admission for each Master's degree programme are reserved.

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Archaeology

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The Master's programme in Archaeology provides training in: routine excavation activities (practical work, study trips, fieldwork placements as well as work placements in museums or laboratories), the principles of data analysis and interpretation, the links with other disciplines (philology, ancient history, ethnology, art history, museology), epistemological and theoretical aspects and, lastly, building bridges between archaeological research and the non-academic world (lectures, exhibitions, events, principles of communication, etc.).

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Art History

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Eastern European Studies

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French as a Foreign Language / French as a Second Language

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French: Foundational Curriculum

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Gender, Society, Social Policy

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Geography

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German

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German as a Foreign Language / German as a Second Language

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History

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Information Management

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Interreligious Studies

The Master of Arts in interreligious Studies offers broad-based advanced training in religion, its role and its evolution throughout history and society. Special attention is focused on Christianity, interreligious and intercultural dialogues and self-reflection in other religions.
The main programme is currently being offered in German or as part of a bilingual programme (German and French), in which case the resulting degree will carry the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German».

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Islam and Society

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Italian

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The Master's programme provides teaching specifically in the literary field and offers access to the multitude of cultural aspects related to everything that Italy represents, in an interdisciplinary context that encourages links with the fields of history, art history, philosophy and musicology.

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Latin Studies

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The study programme consists of a common core made up of a literature course, a reading course and two seminars on Latin language and culture. A practical workshop gives students the opportunity to learn the basics of scientific research and do hands-on training in areas such as papyrology, palaeography, codicology and text edition.

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Management

This Master's programme builds on the skills and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor studies in management. The choice of three out of seven modules allows students to personalise their study programme and to acquire expertise in many subjects, according to their individual preferences. In particular, management of non-profit organisations and European and Global Business are unique areas of specialisation offered by the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences in Fribourg. Optional classes provided by the Faculty or other faculties allow students to define more inter-disciplinary lessons in the fields of economics, information management, media and communication sciences, social sciences and law. The multilingual course offer makes this programme unique in Switzerland.

This Master programme builds on the skills and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor studies in management. The choice of three out of seven modules allows students to personalise their study programme and to acquire a specialised expertise in several subjects, according to their individual preferences. In particular, management of non-profit organisations and European and Global Business are unique areas of specialisation offered by the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences in Fribourg. Students have the possibility to design their own studies with greater interdisciplinarity by choosing optional courses in other Faculty programmes in the fields of economics, information management, media and communication sciences, social sciences and law. The multilingual course offer makes our Faculty programme unique in Switzerland.

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Mathematics

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Medieval Studies

The Middle Ages generally refers to the period of European cultures from the 5th to the 15th centuries. Interdisciplinary research into the heterogeneous and diverse culture of the European Middle Ages also serves to gain a deeper understanding of modern and contemporary developments.
Medieval Studies, an interdisciplinary minor study programme in the Master's degree course, is aimed at students majoring in a subject that focuses on the medieval period who wish to gain complementary or more advanced knowledge and skills in other, interdisciplinary fields of medieval civilisation. This course is run by the Medieval Institute of the University of Fribourg.

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Multilingualism Studies

This interdisciplinary study programme focuses on the individual and social components of multilingualism. The emphasis is placed not only on the acquisitional, cognitive and didactic processes of multilingualism but also on the institutional, political and economic dimensions of linguistic diversity in contemporary societies.
The study programme is deeply rooted in research on multilingual repertoires, the dynamics of change to languages in contact, the role of languages in the construction of social inequalities, language challenges in migratory situations and the different forms of institutional management of linguistic diversity. There is a practical module with an internship to allow students to relate theory to social reality.
A Rhaeto-Romance option is also available in this Master's course for those wishing to go deeper into Rhaeto-Romance linguistics and literature. This option offers the possibility to conduct research projects dedicated to Rhaeto-Romance languages.

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Musicology and History of Opera

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During their Master's studies, students will follow courses and seminars partly in French and partly in German. They are encouraged to take an interest in the research and popularisation activities which are organised in their field of study. The various examinations can be taken in one of three languages: French, German or Italian. Students also have the possibility of writing their Master's thesis in one of the three languages.

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Philosophy

The Master programme in philosophy allows students by its rigorous approach to deepen their understanding of the main issues and currents of Western philosophical tradition, from Antiquity to the contemporary period. An advanced programme is offered in the fields of Systematic Philosophy (metaphysics; epistemology; philosophy of language, of mind and of human sciences; ethics and political philosophy; aesthetics and philosophy of art) and History of Philosophy (ancient philosophy; medieval philosophy; modern and contemporary philosophy).
This programme is unique in Switzerland due to the richness and diversity of its methodological approach, to its broad systematic scope, to the optional possibility of bilingual studies and due to the particularly close ties existing at the department of philosophy in Fribourg between teaching and research activities.
Each semester, several international colloquia are organised and well-known philosophers from other Universities and countries invited to present their work. These activities allow students to get directly acquainted with central issues discussed in the ongoing international debate and to get into contact with researchers belonging to the international philosophical community.

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Physics

At Master's level, this study programme in Physics provides students with advanced courses and starts the process of specialisation. About half of the courses are compulsory and of general interest, the other half consists of more specialised elective courses.
The Master's thesis will be supervised by an active researcher and initiates students to the frontiers of research, in the following subjects: Atomic physics, Electrons in solids, Soft matter and photonics, Theoretical interdisciplinary physics, Collective quantum phenomena and Nanosciences (Nanomaterials).
At the end of the programme, students will have learned how to apply their knowledge to do research projects and how to work independently or integrate into an interdisciplinary research team.

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Politics and Society Psychology

The Master's in Psychology aims to provide students with a deeper theoretical understanding of a number of domains in Psychology. You will gain knowledge of the principle scientific concepts and methodologies from several domains in Psychology, further understand the application of these concepts and methods in diverse settings (e.g. hospitals, organisations, schools, and research) and gain practical expertise. With this knowledge, on completing the Master's you will therefore be prepared to enter various fields in Psychology: Clinical, Health, Organisational, Educational, Neuropsychology and Human Factors and Ergonomics. The Master's also provides a sound base for beginning a PhD in Psychology, or collaborating in research projects. The teaching provision in the Master's is distinguished by the individual nature of the supervision provided for students. Class sizes remain small, while at the same time registrations for each subject are not restricted. The wide range of external contributors from research and applied domains also enriches the teaching and learning experience of the Master's.

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Rhaeto-Romance

The Master programme deepens the skills acquired during the Bachelor's course in Rhaeto-Romance language and literature. In the linguistics section, emphasis is placed on aspects of individual and societal multilingualism, as well as on more practical issues of the use and promotion of the language. The literary section of the course takes a more in-depth look at the literary traditions of the canton of Grisons, including in relation to neighbouring literary traditions, and with a particular focus on the critical application of theoretical models. An internship allows students to relate theory to actual fields of work. Graduates are qualified to work in Rhaeto-Romance institutions, the media or teaching, and research.
The Master programme requires thorough knowledge of at least one variant of Rhaeto-Romance. A number of lectures will be in German and/or French.

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Slavic Studies

The Master's degree programme in Slavic studies at the University of Fribourg offers the opportunity of intensive analysis of cultural developments and traditions in Russia and Poland. The emphasis is on the period from the 19th to the 21st century. Students examine literature, philosophy and cultural criticism with regard to their relevance for contemporary social constellations and current political tendencies. The languages of instruction are German and French. Seminars are also regularly held in Russian. There are frequent visits from guest lecturers from the Slavic region.
The University of Fribourg offers a wide range of Eastern European exchange programmes, research projects and academic and cultural events organised by various institutes. This gives our students the possibility of interdisciplinary exchange and a chance to broaden their academic and their personal horizons.

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Social Policy and Social Work Social Problems, Social Policy and Risk Prevention

This Master's programme aims to develop a critical and scientific understanding of social and health issues and the conditions for their reasoned analysis. It teaches students how to draft appropriate action plans and implement more effective response programmes, training them to become analysts and stakeholders able to grasp complex social realities in the field of social and health policy. There is currently a worrying lack of experts, against a backdrop of a redefinition of social policies and, more broadly, of social cohesion mechanisms in each of the Swiss cantons to varying degrees.
Teaching is based both on sociological theoretical approaches and empirical contributions presented by specialists from various fields (politics, administration, business). The course is rounded off by a three-month (full-time) internship designed to immerse students in the professional reality of social and health work.

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Sociology Spanish

This Master's programme allows students to acquire knowledge in the four following fields: different types of Hispanic literature in their historical and cultural context and in terms of their mutual relationships; study of the Spanish language in its historical development and in its current varieties (Spain and Latin America); analysis of literary and linguistic modernity; documentation and research techniques.
Fribourg's specific teaching has an inter-cultural focus and a dual linguistic and philological perspective. It is the only university specialised in the latter.
The programme comprises four compulsory modules, two of which concern the historical perspective and two of which concern modernity.

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Sport Sciences

This study programme in sport sciences is based on the idea that to understand the issues of the future in relation to sports and well-being through motor activity calls for more in-depth knowledge, notably in the fields of movement and training, as well as in neuropsychology and sports education.
The Master's programme thus gives students the opportunity to increase the depth and scope of their acquired knowledge and to pursue the specialisation ( «Teaching» or «Health and Research» ) that they chose during their Bachelor's degree.
The fact that this course of study is taught at the Medicine Section of the Faculty of Science and Medicine and the special emphasis on a «class-seminar/workshop» structure, as well as the partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen (SFISM) mean that the underlying conditions for teaching and research in the field of sport sciences are extremely favourable.

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Theology

In the context of a state university, theology makes a specific contribution to research: an intellectual, scientific and rational exploration of the Christian approach to the question of God, in particular from the perspective of the Catholic tradition. The other fields of study extend the theological line of thought by juxtaposing it with other ways of perceiving reality.
The richness of theology as a field of study encourages students to continue for another two years after their Bachelor's degree to complete a Master's degree (complete study programme, 120 ECTS credits). The Master's thesis gives students the opportunity to test their ability to produce a piece of personal academic research. Students are admitted to the degree of Master of Theology with Specialisation with a score of 60 of the total 120 ECTS credits in the chosen specialisation: 30 ECTS credits for the respective lectures and 30 ECTS credits for the thesis. Possible topics are, for example, the Christian Orient, interreligious dialogue, practical theology or the New Testament in its cultural and historical setting.

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