Table of Contents Master's Degree 2 Master of Arts Programme – Roads to Democracies • University of Siegen • Siegen 2
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Table of Contents Master's degree 2 Master of Arts Programme – Roads to Democracies • University of Siegen • Siegen 2 1 Master's degree Master of Arts Programme – Roads to Democracies University of Siegen • Siegen Overview Degree Master of Arts Teaching language English Languages Courses are held in English (100%). Programme duration 4 semesters Beginning Winter semester More information on Semester starts on 1 October beginning of studies Application deadline First application deadline: 15 May for the following winter semester (strongly recommended for non-EU students to allow sufficient time for visa procedures) Second application deadline: 15 July for the following winter semester Tuition fees per semester in None EUR Combined Master's degree / No PhD programme Joint degree / double degree No programme Description/content Roads to Democracies is an international, interdisciplinary, and research-oriented Master of Arts programme integrating the subjects of history, political science, and sociology. The full-time programme has a duration of two years (four semesters). The programme aims to provide students with analytical tools and theoretical knowledge that help to understand and explain the interrelation between institutional structures, political processes, and the social and cultural foundations of democracy. Students shall develop a broad, comparative understanding of the mechanisms behind democratic processes from a historical and social scientific perspective. Thus, students will acquire the competence to assess present-day democratic developments on a national and supranational level. They will obtain theoretical knowledge and gain advanced insights into comparative research methods in history and the social sciences. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on political, economic, historical, social and cultural aspects of democratic ideas, institutions, and structures within and outside Europe. In elective courses, students have the possibility to attend lectures in economic and environmental law. Within the module on "transferable skills", students can choose from a variety of language courses (including German) offered by the university's Language Centre, and they can acquire important soft skills through courses offered in intercultural communication, academic writing and more. In addition, the House of Young Talents, the Career Service and the Alumni Association offer 2 a wide range of extracurricular activities to prepare students for their future careers. International academic exchange is an important aspect of the programme. It is strongly recommended that students spend a semester abroad with an Erasmus+ scholarship at one of the participating partner universities, e.g., the University of Bologna, the University of Coimbra, the University of Palermo, Uppsala University, Ilia State University (Tbilisi, Georgia), Zhejiang University (Hangzhou, China) and others. The language of instruction and examination is English. Furthermore, international academic exchange is strengthened through the organisation of joint summer schools and guest lectures in Siegen and abroad. International cooperation in the students' research activities is encouraged through the possibility of involving professors from the participating partner universities as second supervisors of the Master's theses. The study abroad period has the aim of enhancing academic and personal exchange across borders and allowing students to experience new contents, research methods and approaches. Furthermore, the study abroad period provides students with experience in working in international groups and with the opportunity for intercultural exchange. Course Details Course organisation The programme comprises compulsory core modules as well as elective courses: Semester one: One Introductory Module (INT) that is based on blended-learning: INT 1.1. Theories of Democracy and INT 1.2. Methods of History and Social Sciences One Thematic Module: TM 1 Actors and Institutions in Historical and Contemporary Perspective One Additional Practical Module: APM 1 Additional Special Studies Semester two: One Method Module (MET): Empirical Research on Democracy One Thematic Module: TM 2 Political Cultures and the Public Sphere: Past and Present One Internship (8 weeks) Semester three: Two Thematic Modules: TM 3: Global and Transnational Processes: Past and Present TM 4: Democracies in Comparative Perspective Students can choose to spend the third semester at the partner university abroad and attend TM 5 Roads to Democracies - Thematic Module Abroad Semester one to three: One Additional Practical Module: APM 2 Transferable Skills Semester two to three: Master's Thesis Module MM 1 Thesis Forum Semester four: MM 2 Master Examination (Master's thesis and the Master's thesis presentation) Modes of teaching are seminars, blended-learning courses, workshops, projects, conferences, and lectures. Students are expected to obtain an average of 30 credit points per semester and must acquire 120 credit points over the entire programme. Types of assessment Requirements for obtaining credit points / course requirements: - shorter pieces of written work (6-8 pages) - written exam (30-45 min.) or - short presentation (15 min.) or - oral exam (15 min.) or - equivalent requirements Students will be informed about the concrete course requirements and forms of examination by the instructor at the beginning of the course. In addition, students must successfully complete the 3 examination/graded piece of work (3 CP) that completes the module. A Diploma supplement will Yes be issued International elements International guest lecturers Integrated study abroad unit(s) Description of other Summer schools international elements International/national conferences Model United Nations (each year in New York; extracurricular, recognition on request) SiegMUN (each year with the local Model United Nations; extracurricular, recognition on request) Integrated study abroad International academic exchange is an important aspect of the programme. It is strongly unit(s) recommended that students spend a semester abroad at one of the participating partner universities. Students can choose to go abroad in the third semester and attend Module 5, "Roads to Democracies – Thematic Module Abroad", during the semester at the partner university. Integrated internships Internships are an integrated part within the study programme and are scheduled for the second semester (eight weeks/nine credit points). Students will receive assistance from the study course advisers in finding a suitable institution. Course-specific, integrated No German language courses Course-specific, integrated No English language courses Costs / Funding Tuition fees per semester in None EUR Semester contribution Students pay a semester fee of approx. 275 EUR for a public transport ticket (valid for six months in the entire state of North Rhine-Westphalia) as well as a social services contribution and student activities. Costs of living The city of Siegen is one of the German cities with very moderate costs for accommodation, offering attractive living conditions. Living expenses including accommodation and health insurance range from only 600 EUR to 750 EUR per month, depending on personnel living preferences. Students can choose to apply for the dormitories or to look for off-campus housing that is privately owned. Funding opportunities Yes within the university Description of the above- Students at the University of Siegen can apply for the “Deutschlandstipendium / mentioned funding Studienförderfonds”, which can cover part of the students' cost of living.S cholarships for Master's 4 opportunities within the and doctoral students are available at the House of Young Talents of the University of Siegen. university Requirements / Registration Academic admission A first academic degree (a Bachelor's degree from a programme with a minimum duration of three requirements years or equivalent) in history, political science, sociology or an appropriate related subject with an overall final grade of at least 2.5 (according to the German grading system). Admission to the Master's programme requires a proof of a study-related special qualification. A study-related special qualification is ascertained when the submitted documents, in particular, the transcript of records, the letter of motivation and the exposé, show that the student has the ability to conduct independent scientific work and has the relevant methodological competencies that enable him/her to successfully complete the Master's programme. The assessment of the study-related special qualification is part of the application procedure. It is based on the submitted application documents (see application documents below). Applicants must submit the following documents: CV in English Certified copies of the university entrance certificate Certified copies of university certificates, university diplomas with transcript of records and certified translations in German or English, if applicable Language certificates (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, CAE, CPE, or certificate issued by university showing that the language of instruction during the BA studies was English) Each applicant must submit a letter of motivation (750 to 1,000 words) in English containing information on professional qualifications and personal motivation for the course of study described from a professional-scientific perspective. The letter should also elaborate on professional goals. Each applicant must also submit an exposé of research