Social Education

- define the field of social education,

- understand and explain the current trends and recent findings in the field,

- apply appropriate research methods to everyday phenomena of social reality.

An important aspect of the study programme is the application of the scientific knowledge in a number of disciplines.

Absolvent je po úspěšném ukončení studia schopen:

• understand academic theories, concepts, and methods that represent current issues and trends in the field at the international level;
• apply knowledge and skills from the field of social pedagogy in non-academic educational settings;
• plan and carry out social pedagogical research;
• present the results of their research to the professional community, either orally or in writing (studies, textbooks, chapters in books, monographs, presentations at domestic and international conferences, workshops, and invited lectures);
• critically reflect on, analyse and evaluate the results of their own research activities in relation to educational reality and events in the society;
• develop the field of social pedagogy in a broader interdisciplinary community (cooperate with experts from other institutions on a national and international scale), or in different areas (e.g., at the political level, in educational practice, etc.).

The professional opportunities for our graduates are mostly in the academic environment, particularly in the field of Social Studies, i.e. at university Faculties of Education (Department of Education and Department of Social Education), and other faculties and departments where courses related to education are taught.

Further professional opportunities are found in educational and research organizations and organizations providing social councelling and free-time activities, as well as management, non-profit organizations, department of Ministry of Education, Home Office (Ministry of Internal Affairs) and Ministry of Justice as our graduates will be able to run educational,councelling, planning and organizational activities and activities related to re-socialization.

The study programme integrates both theoretical and practical courses. The specific aim of the practical courses is mainly to provide the students with research skills related to the field of study. In their practical courses students colaborate with the programme guarantor who provides them with regular feedback.

Regarding practical courses, the programme includes a number of compulsory activities, such as research internship abroad. Other opportunities to gain practical skills include teaching activities, organizing and running courses for undergraduate students, taking part in activities of other department members and organizing educational events (such as Department Symposium with a 15-year tradition).

For a successful completion of the study programme a dissertation has to be submitted which may have theoretical, methodological or empirical character (or a combination of the above).

Theoretical dissertations present various theoretical approaches to selected issues from the field of social education; a high level of abstract and analytical thinking and insight is necessary. An example of a theoretical dissertation is a metatheoretical analysis of selected issues within the social field.

Methodological dissertations analyze various research approaches, methods or tools and evaluate their use in the research field. Methodological dissertations may present modifications of research approaches or new original approaches.

Empirical dissertations present specific research findings reached using specific research methods. The students apply research methods which lead them to research findings and conclusions.

Detailed information regarding graduate theses may be found in the relevant guidelines issued by the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University.