Global Challenges: Society, Politics, Environment
Degree programme objectives
The aim of this bachelor degree programme is to provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to tackle political, social and environmental global challenges in a holistic fashion. Using the fields of study of political science, environmental studies, social anthropology and sociology, this program encourages students to pull theories across disciplines together. The programme is unique in 1. Addressing the contemporary challenges in global world on macro, mezzo and micro level of individuals, social structures, and policies, 2. Incorporating the interdisciplinary approach, and 3. Stressing the variety of research methods and tools for understanding global issues and training students. Students after graduation are able to participate in processing primary forms of analytical knowledge and are competent in social science research and analysis. During the study, students will acquire the ability to work with information – evaluate and put information in context. They will learn to understand the world around them and to see related issues and problems from different perspectives.
Study plans
Admission ProceduresAdmission Bachelor program Fall 2023 (beginning September 2023)Submission deadline until midnight 1/6/2023
- Acceptance round information
This application is only for semester Fall 2023 (beginning September 2023). If you want to study from Spring semester 2023 (beginning in February 2023) please submit the online application for this semester (application deadline on November 15, 2022).
- Information on entrance examinations designed for this degree programmeThe multiple-choice entrance test will consist of 20 (a-e) closed questions covering areas of basics from social sciences and humanities (politics, international relations, sociology, history, basics of political geography). To be accepted to a program the applicants must achieve at least the threshold of 60% of correct answers.
- Recommended reading for the examinations under this fieldLunt, Pat; Rebman, Peter: Social Studies. Oxford University Press, 2019, s. 6-37, 74-105, 106-141. Richards, Michael, D.; Waibel, Paul R.: Twentieth Century Europe. A Brief History, 1900 to the Present. Wiley Blackwell, 2014, s. 345-378. Colander, David C.; Hunt, Elgin H.: Social Science. An Introduction to the Study of Society. Routledge, 2022, Chapter 1
Studies
- Objectives
The aim of this bachelor degree programme is to provide students with an interdisciplinary approach to tackle political, social and environmental global challenges in a holistic fashion. Using the fields of study of political science, environmental studies, social anthropology and sociology, this program encourages students to pull theories across disciplines together. The programme is unique in 1. Addressing the contemporary challenges in global world on macro, mezzo and micro level of individuals, social structures, and policies, 2. Incorporating the interdisciplinary approach, and 3. Stressing the variety of research methods and tools for understanding global issues and training students. Students after graduation are able to participate in processing primary forms of analytical knowledge and are competent in social science research and analysis. During the study, students will acquire the ability to work with information – evaluate and put information in context. They will learn to understand the world around them and to see related issues and problems from different perspectives.
- Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:
- Analyze and interpret the current issues of global challenges from interdisciplinary perspectives.
- Articulate and critically use the basic theories of each of the three subfields: political science, sociology, and environmental studies.
- Competently apply appropriate quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods in research projects, analyze and interpret both quantitative and qualitative data and communicate the results to various audiences.
- Interpret, react, and respond to existing policies relying on each of the three fields of study, and to develop new policies from an interdisciplinary perspective.
- Occupational Profiles of Graduates
Students graduating from the Global Challenges programme can find employment in governmental agencies, research institutions, non-governmental agencies, and non-profit organizations, as well as continue their education into a specialized master programme. Additionally, skills learned through this program (problem solving, analytical work, communication, data collection, project management, team work, interpretation, etc) will help them in any other field or occupation they choose.
- Practical Training
The degree programme does not require any formal practical training. Students are encouraged to seek out internships. Related internships can take the place of one optional course.
- Goals of Theses
A standard scope of a Bachelor's thesis ranges from 8 000 to 10 000 words including footnotes, cover sheet, content, index, list of literature, and annotations. Students should demonstrate the ability to work critically with specialized texts, process the concepts and theories discovered there, and find relevant answers to the given question. Student’s thesis’ will be expected to address a problem in their specialized field using an interdisciplinary approach of all three fields. Instructions for Final State Examinations and elaboration of the Bachelor's/Diploma thesis are regulated by FSS Directive No. 6/2019 On Final State Examinations for Students of the Faculty of Social Studies of Masaryk University.
- Access to Further Studies
Students can continue studying in masters programmes in each of the three fields at Masaryk University - Sociology, Conflict and Democracy Studies and Environmental Education (joint-degree in process of preparation), while they are also able to continue studies in other esteemed universities around the world.