![[The University of Leicester]](unilogo.gif)
MA in Contemporary Sociology
The MA in Contemporary Sociology aims to provide you with an up-to-date, advanced training in Sociology, focusing in particular on contemporary theories, themes and debates. In the core modules you will explore some of the main problems of contemporary societies, such as environmental change, terrorism, or the role of the media, together with analysis of theoretical developments in sociology in recent decades. You will also gain exposure to some of the practical applications of sociological research in the public context. The optional modules provide the opportunity for more intense specialisation in areas of sociological research in which members of the programme team are currently active.
In selecting your optional modules, there is the opportunity to to follow a 'specialist route' in either Race and Ethnicity, Sport and Society, Culture, or Health, Risk and Society. Such a choice will be available to you at your Induction, and the Course Director will provide guidance on which modules must be selected from the list of options in order to be eligible for the award of Master of Arts in Contemporary Sociology with one of the specialist areas listed above.
However, you are not required to select a specialist area and may equally choose to study for the general award of MA in Contemporary Sociology, in which case all available optional modules will be open to you to choose from.
The MA in Contemporary Sociology is available as a one-year full-time or two-year part-time campus based programme beginning in October each year.
Course Structure: MA in Contemporary Sociology
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Issues in Contemporary Society | Debates in Contemporary Sociology |
| Research in Context 1 | Research in Context 2 |
| Option | Option |
|
Research Based Dissertation [Click on this link for titles of recent dissertations] |
Optional Modules*
- Sociology of Sport
- Communication and Culture
- Race and Ethnicity
- Multiculturalism and Nationalism
- Sociology of Risk
- Lifestyle, Consumption and Gender
- International Migration
- Health and Social Inequalities
* Not all optional modules will be available in every year. The Department reserves the right to introduce new optional modules not listed above.
Teaching
Teaching will take various forms, including lectures, seminar discussions and individual tutorials in preparation for assignments. As this is a postgraduate qualification, you should expect to undertake independent study and research (guided by tutors) in addition to participating in classes. All students are expected to participate in all taught classes except where the group divides for different options. All students are also expected to prepare a research based MA dissertation (for which detailed supervision will be provided) in which the ideas, conduct and organisation of research and presentation in written form are the responsibility of the student.
Assessment
Modules are assessed principally by essay. However, other means of assessment are also used in some modules. To be awarded the MA, students must also complete a supervised research based dissertation of between 10,000 and 15,000 words.
