The MA in Civil Society prepares you for the third sector professions and for progression to further academic study. You will study the dynamics of the non-profit and non-governmental sector (which include charities, social enterprises, cooperatives and advocacy organisations) both theoretically and empirically. The key themes of the MA are civil society operating as a public sphere between markets and the state (and the implications of this at the local, national and international level) and the role of civil society organisations in service delivery and advocacy at all levels of governance (including advocacy in the context of development). You will be introduced to the research paradigms and key issues in civil society research. You will receive training in general and subject specific research skills. Teaching and research may be combined with an practical internship in a civil society organisation in the second semester. The MA is integrated with the newly constituted interdisciplinary Research Unit on Civil Society based in the department.

When it comes to future employment , the programme has both UK and international relevance. In particular it includes specific training for UK-based service delivery organisations as well as providing skills for understanding and working in the context of international advocacy. Typical career destinations for MA graduates may include Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the public sector. The programme is also particularly good preparation for further study (to PhD level) in the area of civil society research.

The MA in Civil Society 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 Civil Society

Optional Modules*

• Sociology of Sport
• Technology, Culture and Communication
• Race and Ethnicity
• Sociology of Risk
• Gender and Consumer Culture
• International Migration
• Health and Inequality
• Political Sociology
• Internship (Semester 2 Only)

* 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.

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