Sociology (FR)

Abstract

Are you interested in the functioning of contemporary societies and current events affecting them? Do you want to follow a scientific training which answers your questions, develops your critical appraisal of the world and equips you for your future career?
The objective of the bachelor programme in Sociology is to train students to analyse social, economic and political processes in contemporary societies across a range of themes. It examines the consequences of structural changes on individuals' daily lives by familiarising students with sociological theories and by training students to use scientific analytical tools. In a stimulating study environment, students gain professional skills to observe specific social processes and competences to elaborate projects and social intervention in public and private institutions. Professors, teaching staff and researchers are on hand to promote the quality of exchanges and the pursuit of ambitious goals.
The programme includes sessions from other fields of the social sciences.

  • Show the study programme profile

    Profile of the study programme

    A variety of themes and a rigorous methodology
    Contemporary societies face many challenges. With its wealth of theoretical approaches, varied methods and diverse themes, sociology offers an informed look at the challenges and issues societies must tackle. While striving to understand how contemporary societies function, this comprehensive programme will scientifically examine social change, developments in the work environment, new lifestyles of social groups (migrants, young people, professionals), social interactions, communication and the media, issues of otherness, the functioning of institutions and gender relations.

    Fribourg profile
    Practically oriented training in a stimulating environment
    The Fribourg sociology curriculum emphasises social, economic and political change. The professors' specialisations enable students to gain in-depth theoretical and grounded knowledge of economic sociology, the sociology of communications and the media, labour and professions, migration and interethnic relations, family, gender and youth.
    To respond to the challenges of today's professional world, the programme focuses on training practical activities which include acquiring qualitative methodological skills (interviews, observation, life stories, case studies, etc.) as well as audio-visual survey techniques, while familiarising students with quantitative data. These experiences give them the opportunity to meet the populations concerned and to confront first-hand realities different from those they are used to.
    Interactive sessions (research seminars, workshops, symposia, conference cycles) also offer students the opportunity to develop personal projects in a dynamic and stimulating exchange environment.

    Learning outcomes and career openings
    A scientific analysis of current affairs for future career prospects
    Bridging academic research and practice, this programme is based on five pillars:
    – General sociology including study of classical and contemporary authors and analysis of contemporary changes;
    – Specific sociologies based on field works;
    – Familiarisation with other social science disciplines (anthropology, religious studies, etc.);
    – Acquisition of methodological skills;
    – Development of practical skills: managing scientific projects.

    The curriculum is a springboard to master's studies and trains professionals capable of scientifically analysing social processes and setting up management and intervention projects in many professional fields.

    Upon completion of this programme, students possess a portfolio of skills recognised in the following professional sectors:

    • Private companies and human resources;
    • Media and communication;
    • Local, international and humanitarian associations and foundations;
    • Social interventions;
    • Culture and leadership, migration and intercultural relations, youth and family, health;
    • Public and administrative bodies.

    The bachelor's degree in sociology paves the way for master's studies in many disciplines.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

120 ECTS credits + 60 ECTS credits in a minor study programme freely chosen, 6 semesters

Curriculum

Comments

This study programme may be chosen jointly with a study programme worth 60 ECTS credits in the «Social Sciences» domain.

Admission

The following Swiss school-leaving certificates grant admission to bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg:

  • Swiss academic Maturity Certificate
  • Federal vocational or specialised Baccalaureate + supplementary examination of the Swiss Maturity Commission (passerelle)
  • Bachelor Degree from a Swiss university, from an accredited Swiss university of applied sciences (HES/FH) or from a Swiss university of teacher education (HEP/PH)

A complete list of all further recognised Swiss school-leaving certificates is to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities (in French and German only): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-admission-swisscertificates; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-admission-swisscertificates
Foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificates are recognised only if they correspond substantially to the Swiss Maturity Certificate. They must qualify as general education. Foreign school-leaving certificates are considered to be general education if, among other things, the last three years of schooling include at least six general education subjects, independent from each other, in accordance with the following list:

  1. First language
  2. Second language
  3. Mathematics
  4. Natural sciences (biology or chemistry or physics)
  5. Humanities and social sciences (geography or history or economics/law)
  6. Elective (computer sciences or philosophy or an additional language or an additional subject from category 4 or 5)

The general admission requirements to the bachelor programmes at the University of Fribourg for holders of foreign school-leaving certificates as well as the admission requirements for individual countries are to be found on the webpages of swissuniversities: https://studies.unifr.ch/go/en-admission-countries
In addition, foreign candidates must present proof of sufficient language skills in French or German.
All guidelines are available at (only in French and German): https://studies.unifr.ch/go/adm-guidelines

The assessment of foreign school-leaving certificates is based on the «Recommendations for the Assessment of Foreign Upper Secondary School-Leaving Certificates» adopted by the Chamber of universities of swissuniversities on 11.11.2021 (https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21fr; https://studies.unifr.ch/go/swissuniversities21de). The admission requirements are valid for the respective academic year. The Rectorat of the University of Fribourg reserves the right to change these requirements at any time.

Alternatives

Also offered as a minor study programme (60/30 ECTS credits).

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Key points

Degree conferred

Bachelor of Arts

Languages of study

Possibility to study in French or in French and German

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department (see Contact).

Commencement of studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to further studies

This Bachelor programme qualifies students for the Master programme Culture, Politics and Religion in Pluralist Societies.

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Social Sciences
Prof. Francesca Poglia Mileti
francesca.poglia@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/fr-sociology