Program and courses Sociology track

Block 1 (August - October)

• Multivariate Analysis including Multilevel Models
  You get an introduction into the classical multivariate methods, particularly regression models, starting with the linear regression model and (M)ANOVA. 
• Foundations of Social Psychology
  Learn how interpersonal situations influence social interaction, how structural aspects of mutual dependence influences cognitions, motivations, affect and behavior. Address topics such as social identity, exclusion and the need to belong, conflict and cooperation, distributive and procedural justice, fairness and self0interest, negotiation, social exchange, and social influence.
• Foundations of Sociology
  Examine different topics related to culture, social relations and inequality from a theoretical sociological perspective. 

Block 2 (October- January)

• Multivariate Analysis including Multilevel Models
  You get an introduction into the classical multivariate methods, particularly regression models, starting with the linear regression model and (M)ANOVA. 
• Foundations of Organization Studies
  Answer two major organizational questions from a theoretical perspective: how to govern organizations and how people and organizations learn about themselves by comparing themselves with others.
• Networks and Cohesion
  Study the concept of social capital, its sources and its consequences. 

Block 3 (January - April)

• Experimental Research 
  Discuss every stage of two kinds of scientific research: experimental research and meta analysis.
• Survey Research 
  Learn how to conduct survey research and psychometrics.
• Programming
  Learn how to work with the statistical program and language R and how to independently work with R in future courses and research projects.
• Meta Analysis
• Inferring from Qualitative Data
• Research Integrity & Ethics
• First year Paper Sociology

Block 4 (April - August)

• First year Paper Sociology
• Intern Traineeship Sociology I
• Academic Writing in Social Sciences

Block 1 (September - October) 

• International Traineeship in Sociology
• Intergenerational Relations & Reproduction
  Examine several aspects of the parent-child relationship, such as the way in which parents transfer lifestyles and values to their children, intergenerational reproduction of educational and occupational opportunities, mutual support between parents and their children and the way in which support patterns change over time, and how family composition affect children's outcomes, like wellbeing and educational success.
• Intern Traineeship in Sociology II
• Psychometrics

Block 2 (October - January)

• Structural Equation Modeling & Analysis
  You are introduced to a general statistical framework that brings together multiple statistical analysis tools.
• Intern Traineeship in Sociology III
• Public Understanding of Science
  Examine current events within the field of public understanding of science. You will have theoretical discussions about rationalization and modernization versus post-modernization.

Block 3 (January - April)

• Master's Thesis in Sociology
• Intern Traineeship in Sociology IV

Block 4 (April - August)

• Academic Presenting in Social Sciences
  Touch up your academic  presentation skills and learn how to present an academic paper engagingly, clearly, personally and appropriately and learn to communicate your research in a structured, coherent, clear, concise and attractive way. 
• Colloquia & Seminars in Sociology
• Master's Thesis Sociology

In your second year, you will write your Master’s thesis (24 ECTS), in English, under supervision of a knowledgeable staff member who will supervise you during both the research and thesis-writing processes. You write your thesis within Sociology, and should have a sociology-related subject.

• You will choose your own research topic and supervisor.
• You will learn how to conduct all aspects of the research process: creating hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing data, and writing a scientific article.
• Prior to writing the thesis, you will write an individual research proposal (IRP) based on an original idea, which your supervisor must approve.
• You will conduct the research and work on your Master's thesis independently, for most of the time. However, you will be in constant and close contact with your supervisor.
• The Master’s thesis should be written as a manuscript that could be submitted for publication in an ISI journal.

Examples of thesis subjects are:

• On shame-proneness, public exposure and bribe acceptance
• Flat Earth and scientific boundary construction on Twitter
• Power and altruistic behavior in Teams

During year 1 and 2 students participate in four in-house research traineeships and one international research traineeship. 

• Through the in-house traineeships students acquire, improve, and effectively use their knowledge and skills required for performing scientific research by working together with staff members.
• Through the international traineeship (summer in between year 1 and year 2), students get acquainted with scientific research and researchers abroad by attending summer school, participating and presenting at an international conference, or by temporarily joining an international research group.   
• Students acquire a thorough methodological and statistical education and write two scientific papers as part of the curriculum (first-year paper + Master’s Thesis).  
• Students need to attend 10 colloquia and/or seminars per year, to get more insights into the functioning of the academic world.