Program Overview

Master's Program in Sociology

The Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam focuses on issues related to inequality. Students delve into topics such as gender inequality, inequality in healthcare and welfare, inequality in the labor market, and themes surrounding safety, crime, and diversity.

Program Overview

The program aims to educate students to become sociologists who can apply their knowledge and skills to contribute to solving societal problems related to inequality. It also teaches students to conduct research on inequality and evaluate and develop interventions. The mentorship program supports students in getting the most out of the master's program.

Curriculum

The master's program starts with Inequality in Sociological Perspective, which provides a broad theoretical foundation focused on social inequality: its origins and consequences. Parallel to this, Knowledge in Context: Current Debates on Science and Society teaches students to place this knowledge in perspective by reflecting on what knowledge is and what makes a good sociologist. In Safety, Crime, and Trust, students apply theoretical knowledge to the field of safety policy and policing. The course Research Under the Microscope is designed to critically evaluate research conducted on societal issues, a useful competence in the job market, especially in positions like policy advisor, where research informs advice and decision-making on policy.

In the second semester, students delve deeper into specific domains where inequality occurs. The focus shifts to how knowledge can be translated into societal impact, for example, by evaluating and developing (co-creating) interventions. In Interventions in Healthcare and Welfare, students conduct a critical policy analysis of policy, and in Gender and Positionality, they think about how to constructively use their own positionality and become comfortable with discomfort in the context of co-creative research on gender. The goal is to come up with solutions through critical analysis from their position and discomfort.

In Racism and Intersectionality: A Life Course Perspective and Work, Appreciation, and Inequality, students deepen their understanding of how racism creates and maintains inequality and reflect on the meaning of (paid) work and why top salaries are paid for some professions and minimum wage for others. Additionally, these courses strengthen their research skills. Students can choose to deepen their knowledge in qualitative or quantitative data analysis. The master's program concludes with the Master's Thesis, where students develop a product (such as a policy advice, an opinion piece, a workshop) that demonstrates their ability to contribute to solving a societal problem by applying sociological knowledge and skills.

Courses

• Mentoraat Master Sociologie
• Kennis in context: actuele debatten over wetenschap en samenleving
• Ongelijkheid in sociologisch perspectief
• Veiligheid, criminaliteit en vertrouwen
• Onderzoek onder de loep
• Interventies in zorg en welzijn
• Racisme en intersectionaliteit: een levensloopperspectief
• Masterproef
• Co-creatief onderzoek naar gender en positionaliteit
• Werk, waardering en ongelijkheid

Future Prospects

As a graduated sociologist, you are ready to contribute to society in various roles. You can become a policy advisor for the government to help develop policy in the social domain. You can also work as a researcher to better understand and explain inequality. Many students choose a career path where they have direct impact, for example, at social organizations, educational institutions, or companies.

Conclusion

The Master's program in Sociology at VU Amsterdam is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to address societal problems related to inequality. Through a combination of theoretical foundations, research skills, and practical applications, graduates are prepared to make a meaningful contribution to society in a variety of roles.