Program Overview

Master [120] in Sociology

The Master [120] in Sociology is a comprehensive program offered by the Université catholique de Louvain, Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences and Communication (ESPO). This program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of sociological theories, methods, and practices.

Program Structure

The program consists of 120 credits, divided into several components:

• Tronc commun [65.0]: This component includes compulsory courses (20 credits) that focus on theoretical and methodological foundations in sociology.
  • Courses include:
    • LSOC2040: Contemporary sociological theories
    • LSOC2013: Contemporary cultural transformations: a sociological approach
    • LSOC2045: Sociology of Economic Practices: Capitalism and the anthropocene
    • LSOC2002: Digital sociology
  • Méthodes (15 credits): Students must choose 15 credits from qualitative and quantitative methods courses, ensuring a minimum of 5 credits in each.
    • Qualitative methods:
      • LSOC2083: Signs, sounds, images: methods of analysis
      • LSOC2084: Participatory methods
      • LSOC2086: Discourse analysis
      • LSOC2087: Grounded theory methodology
      • LSOC2088: Life stories and biographical approaches
    • Quantitative methods:
      • LDEMO2047: Méthodes quantitatives en sciences sociales: analyses causales, factorielles et typologies
      • WFSP2200: Social network research: health and society
  • Chaire Jacques Leclercq (en sociologie) (3 credits): Students choose one chair among the offered options.
    • LANSO1391: Jacques Leclercq Chair II (sociology)
    • LANSO1393: Jacques Leclercq Chair IV (sociology)
  • Pratique de la recherche (27 credits): This component includes research practice and ethics seminars, writing workshops, and a dissertation/thesis.
    • LSOC2000A: Research Practice and Ethics Seminar
    • LSOC2089A: Writing workshop I & II
    • LSOC2000B: Research Practice and Ethics Seminar
    • LSOC2089B: Writing workshop I & II
    • LSOC2900: Dissertation / Thesis

Research Focus [30.0]

This component allows students to deepen their knowledge in a specific area of research. It includes:

• Stage de recherche et d'intervention sociale: A research internship or equivalent.
• Seminar on the professional postures and commitments of sociology: A seminar that explores professional roles and commitments in sociology.
• Cours au choix (15 credits): Students choose 15 credits from a variety of courses that align with their research interests.

Options

The program offers several options for specialization, including:

• Corps et santé
• Criminalité
• Economie, travail et capitalisme
• Education, subjectivation et lien social
• Environnement et transitions écologiques
• Genre
• Globalisation et migrations
• Participation, mobilisations et citoyenneté
• Politiques sociales et inégalités
• Production et analyse de données
• Religion, Islam et interculturalité
• Digital

Each option includes a set of courses tailored to the specific area of interest.

Preparatory Module

For students who qualify for the master's program via complementary coursework, a preparatory module is available. This module includes courses such as:

• LPOLS1326: Practical Research Seminars in Sociology and Anthropology
• LESPO1001: MOOC Penser critique
• LESPO1002: MOOC Pratiquer la méthode de recherche en sciences humaines et sociales
• LESPO1135: Epistemologies of social sciences
• LESPO1214: Méthodes qualitatives et quantitatives pour les sciences sociales
• LPOLS1316: The History of Debates in Sociology and Anthropology
• LPOLS1234: Theories and concepts in sociology
• LESPO1102: Sociology

Language Courses

Students are also required to take language courses (6 credits) as part of their preparatory module.

This master's program in sociology is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in sociological theories, methods, and practices, preparing them for careers in research, academia, and professional fields related to sociology.