Social Research
Student testimonial: Michel
What I like about Social Research, in particular my stream of Sociology, is the freedom to compose my own programme, the international and in-depth academic experience and the personal approach.
The Master´s Programme in Social Research gives enough freedom to design my own programme. For instance, in the second semester students can choose between an internship, an intensive course on a sociological theme or subjects from another field.
I chose an internship at the Sociology department, in which I could participate in the research project of phd student Jasper Muis. He investigates the media phenomenon Pim Fortuyn, a former Dutch politician, and teaches me how to analyze social phenomena with computer simulations. It is informative, exiting, and gives me a good impression of the atmosphere at a social research department.
International and in depth
The research master gives me the international content and the academic depth that I am looking for. In the first semester all students follow interesting courses on global issues, religion and diversity. The course Logic of Social Science Explanations really appealed to me, because it combines philosophy of science with schools like evolutionary sociology and game theory. It was very challenging and broadened my view on social issues.
During the second semester all important research methods are being discussed, ranging from qualitative ethnographic to quantitative time-series designs. We are taught that the method should be balanced with the issue. In line with this, most courses have a multi-disciplinary approach and are followed by students from the communication, political and organization science tracks.
Furthermore, the whole two years we participate regularly in a presentation seminar alternated with a key thinkers course. In key thinkers course eminent social scientists highlight scholars like Max Weber and Ibn Khaldoun, which is very inspirational!
Personal atmosphere
The master has a nice and personal atmosphere. On the one hand this is caused by the effort and time that teachers invest in us. They are passionate about sociology and genuinely care about our progress. On the other hand this is caused by the small working groups. This is especially nice because my fellow students come from all over the world: China, Turkey, Estonia, Morocco. In fact I am the only Dutch student of Sociology track. Their visions and stories really add to my knowledge and give me unique insights into international social issues.
Next to my study I am co-founder of an organization that promotes entrepreneurship among young people in countries along the Silk Route (as Afghanistan, Pakistan) and I work for an Internet service company at Schiphol. Now and in the future I want to be a contribution to a just, peaceful and sustainable world. The Master’s Programme in Social Research gives me the analytical and methodological foundations to achieve this.
Michel Scholte, Master’s Student in Social Research, 2009- 2011
