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Study programmes > All studies > Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterranean and Other European Borderlands > Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterraneanand Other European Borderlands, full-time study, master's degree

Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterraneanand Other European Borderlands, full-time study, master's degree (S2-ISSC)

(in Polish: Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterraneanand Other European Borderlands, studia stacjonarne, II stopnia)
Faculty of "Artes Liberales"
second cycle programme
full-time, 2-year studies
Language: English, Spanish, Italian

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Number of places: 30, including: 20 places in the first phase, in the June-July qualification, and 10 places in the second phase, in the August-September qualification.

Field of studies: Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Mediterranean and Other European Borderlands (ISSC)

Form of studies: full-time, second cycle

Responsible units: Faculty of „Artes Liberales”, University of Warsaw and Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw.

Language of instruction: English

The ISSC programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to sociocultural issues, social change and challenges of the modern world, including global and local conflicts, migrations, climate change, demographic crises, or economic inequalities, focusing on European borderlands. It provides students with a variety of research methods in humanities and social sciences, giving insights into political systems, contemporary culture, social movements, borderland societies, cultural and linguistic diversity. Apart from broad humanistic knowledge and expertise in the historical and contemporary social change, the programme offers a chance to develop practical competence in intercultural communication, collecting and processing of data, as well as planning and conducting research.

It has been designed and taught by professors and researchers at the Faculty of „Artes Liberales” and the Centre of Migration Research.

The programme offers:

  • in-depth knowledge of the key theories and concepts of social sciences and cultural studies
  • an interdisciplinary approach
  • a variety of research methods in cultural studies and social sciences (sociology, politics, economy)
  • students’ participation in academic research
  • development of cultural awareness and critical thinking

The programme is characterised by a highly individualised approach; it is shaped by the students, who are able to choose among seminars, lectures, and workshops offered each semester. This allows each student to create a programme and an academic schedule tailored to meet their individual interests and needs.

Main themes of studies:

  • state – sovereignty – institutions: models of sovereign authority, national state, population management, globalization, institutions
  • social change and identity: social movements, revolutions, wars, postmodern condition, post-colonialism, religion, liberalism and individualism
  • risks and crises:historical and contemporary crises, risks and conflicts
  • challenges of the present and the future: climate catastrophe, mass global and local migrations, the authority of science in the culture of post-truth, quality of democracy, new social movements, hybrid wars, global threats to public health, precarization, work automation, digitization, demographic aging, social inequalities
  • lessons from the past: ancient and modern patterns of politics, society and individuals, revolutions and social changes, the role of knowledge and philosophy, all presented particularly in the context of borderland societies: Central and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean countries

Types of classes:

  • research seminars
  • workshops (methods of cultural studies and methods of social sciences)
  • monographic seminars ( in-depth study within one discipline)
  • seminars on culture of a selected region

A graduate of the ISSC programme is characterised by:

  • broad humanistic knowledge:the basics of social science and high level of skills in an interdisciplinary approach to cultural and social issues
  • intercultural communication: teamwork in an international environment, creativity, the ability to learn efficiently, presenting ideas and views in speech and writing
  • linguistic competence: reading and speaking fluently in English, both in the professional and academic contexts; academic writing skills
  • collecting, interpreting and visualizing various types of data : Big Data, data on complex social phenomena like crises and identity issues, migration, inequalities and demographic changes
  • useful academic and practical competences: the ability to plan, prepare and implement a research process; the ability to process and visualize data in an innovative manner

The programme is tailor-made for those interested in pursuing their careers in a variety of social and cultural institutions, both state and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as culture animators, educators, journalists, intercultural communication or media relations specialists.

ECTS Coordinators:

Qualification awarded:

MA of Interdisciplinary Studies on Social Change: Maditerranean and Other European Borderlands

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes:

Knowledge -
Understands the cultural and social processes taking place in the Mediterranean countries (and other regions of European borderlands, including Central and
Eastern Europe as well as the Balkans), and their relevance for the entire continent.
Understands the relationships between the various dimensions of social change (especially with regard to various aspects of mobility and "crises") and knows the approaches to this process related to many scientific fields and disciplines.
Understands the historical and cultural ties between the countries and peoples of the northern Mediterranean coast and the rest of Europe.
Knows the terminology of social sciences and understands their role in culture; understands the interdependencies between different social disciplines, as well as their relationship with cultural research.
Knows the terminology of the humanities and understands their role in culture; understands the relationships between individual disciplines that relate to the study of culture and other disciplines in the field of humanities
Understands the value of an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis and interpretation of social changes in the modern world (especially in the Mediterranean countries and in Central and Eastern Europe).
Knows the advanced methods of analysis and interpretation of cultural texts.
Knows the advanced new methods of analysis and interpretation used in social research.
Knows the most important methods of interdisciplinary research.
Has a structured, advanced, detailed knowledge of the culture and language of a selected Mediterranean region (Italian or Spanish), leading to specialization, and recognizes historical and contemporary relationships and interactions within Mediterranean cultures.
Understands cultural texts written in a foreign language (Italian or Spanish), including scientific papers; is able to write analytical texts in a foreign language on his/her own.

Abilities -
Is able to select and make a critical assessment of information coming from various scientific, popular science, journalistic and other sources.
Is able to use basic numerical methods in order to organize, interpret and present data, especially in the context of social research; is aware of the existence of innovative data sources, including the so-called big data, is able to find and use the necessary data for scientific work.
Is able to independently conceptualize research problems, selects the appropriate sources, conducts their critical analysis and evaluation according to previously established criteria, can adapt the methodology accordingly to research theme, draw conclusions with the awareness of various points of view.
Is able to interpret social processes in an advanced and interdisciplinary way, especially the changes taking place in them.
Is able to prepare an oral or written presentation taking into account the needs of recipients, in particular with the use of a range of digital tools; can present arguments to support her/his beliefs and knowledge in a logical and convincing manner.
Is able to present the results of individual and team academic work in an appropriate form: in the form of a structured and argued statement, both in the form of a written study and an oral presentation (conference talk or voice in a discussion). At the same time, adhere to all ethical principles, including those related to copyrights.
Knows the rules of using data sources, including digital sources.
Is able to prepare written works taking into account the requirements for academic work.
Is able to prepare written works of a popular science and other, addressing to a wide audience (journalistic, popular science) and with functional characteristics (design applications)
Is able to use the selected foreign language (Spanish or Italian) at B2+ level, also in an academic context
Is able to plan and implement the process of her/his own development and learning as well as to direct the learning process of others through planning team work.
Is able to plan and organize group work (defining goals, stages, roles, selection of methods). Is able to take part in teamwork in various roles.

Social competences -
Is ready to undertake lifelong learning.
Is ready to take up teamwork - also in a research team.
Is ready to learn about new research methods.
Is ready to accept the competence to choose the most appropriate means to perform the indicated tasks.
Is ready to show respect for partners in the discussion and uses substantive arguments; understands the principles of tolerance and cultural differences.
Knows the academic ethos and uses it to develop his own scientific achievements.

Admission procedures:

Visit the following page for details on admission procedures: https://irk.uw.edu.pl/