Master´s Programme in Ethnic and Migration Studies, 120 credits

Introduction

This master’s programme in Ethnic and Migration Studies is a two-year, full-time programme. The programme educates students in theories and methodologies in Ethnic and Migration Studies, with special reference to globalization, processes of identity formation related to class, gender, citizenship, social and cultural change, and relations of power and resistance. The programme is embedded in a trans- and multidisciplinary educational environment, characterized by an integration of the humanities and social sciences, with historical and sociological, economic and cultural perspectives on ethnicity and migration. More specifically, the programme offers:

1. a critical approach to issues of ethnicity, race, social differences, migration, citizenship and borders;
2. practical skills and expertise in social and cultural analysis and policy development, preparing for a variety of professions in working life;
3. a critical scientific approach where politics, economy and labour are foregrounded in the study of ethnicity and migration;
4. an understanding situating ethnicity and migration in its global context, ;
5. a trans- and multi-disciplinary understanding of science and scholarship, fully integrating the social sciences and the humanities, historical as well as sociological, economic as well as cultural perspectives on ethnicity and migration.

The programme qualifies the students to integrate perspectives concerning migration and ethnicity in analysis and innovative intervention in both academic knowledge production and governmental or non-governmental organisations at national and international level. The programme thus prepares students for further postgraduate studies and research in the interdisciplinary field of Ethnic and Migration Studies, as well as for positions in administration, communication, business, government, public life, media and the cultural sector that demand expertise in ethnicity and migration. The programme also enables the students to actively contribute with their acquired knowledge and skills to the analysis and debate on ethnicity and migration in a wide range of areas such from culture, media and the arts to politics, business and administration

Aim

National Qualifications according to the Swedish Higher Education Act

Knowledge and understanding

For a Master of Arts (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in Ethnic and Migration Studies, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in Ethnic and Migration Studies.

Competence and skills

For a Master of Arts (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information
• demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Master of Arts (120 credits) the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in Ethnic and Migration Studies informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.

Content

The master’s programme in Ethnic and Migration Studies is an integrated programme of two years’ full-time study with opportunities for individual specialization. In the first two semesters students follow eight mandatory courses of theoretical, thematic as well as methodological profiles. In the first and second semester students are provided with an historical introduction to migration and ethnicity, and the relation between them, with particular focus on the ways in which they affect and are affected by social processes and individual as well as collective  identity formations. Students move on to advanced courses on the relation of migration to global, regional and national economy, welfare, labour markets, social transformation and different kinds of migratory processes. In this context students are also introduced to existing methodologies in the social sciences and humanities with pertinence to ethnic and migration studies, and they also try out and practice various methods approaches in limited case studies. Contemporary European and regional policies of asylum, integration and migration are studied in depth, as well as the importance of migration, race and ethnicity in contemporary culture and art. Throughout these courses students are expected to demonstrate acquired knowledge in a variety of different formats of presentation, both written and oral. In terms of theoretical and methodological approaches as well as content the courses seek to convey a global and critical conception of migration and ethnicity. In the third semester, the program allows students an individual specialization through studies abroad, teaching practice and elective courses. The fourth semester is mainly devoted to the composition of the master’s thesis. In addition to their course work, students follow a schedule of thematic seminars and tutorial meetings with the faculty.

During the second half of the third semester, students can take one or more elective courses on advanced level within Linköping University or at other universities (for a total of 15 credits). Selection of courses is made in discussion with the programme director and should enable the acquisition of individual specialization. Alternatively, students can choose to do an internship or teaching practice in the second half of the semester. This should take place at an organization selected by the student and with which s/he has made an agreement. The activities of the organisation should be relevant to the main field of study and the tasks performed should contribute to the fulfilment of the learning outcomes as set out in the syllabus. Examination of the teaching practice is made through a written report. 

Students can choose to carry out their third semester of studies abroad. They may also apply to conduct their third and fourth semester abroad within the framework of the programmes double degree partnership with other universities. Students wishing to take advantage of these possibilities must consult with the programme director in order to make sure credits will be transferred.
 

The heading “Curriculum” contains a list of courses included in the programme. The course syllabuses for these describe in more detail the contents, teaching and working methods, and examination.

Teaching and working methods

Teaching in the programme generally involves formats with a high level of student participation. This implies that students and teachers have a shared responsibility for the courses and the programme. Within the frame of the courses, the students are provided with the opportunity to specializing and concentrating the chosen line of studies. The development of the student’s knowledge and competences is organized in dialogue between the students as well as between students and teachers. Teaching forms include lectures, workshops, seminars and individual/group tutorials.

Each course is examined individually or in a group. The forms of examination include mandatory essays, written examinations, active participation in mandatory seminars as well as mandatory course assignments. The forms of examination for each course are specified in the course description. The master’s thesis is presented and defended at a public seminar with an opponent/ discussant after which it is assessed and graded by an examination committee.
 

The course syllabuses describe in more detail the contents, teaching and working methods, and examination.

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen within one of the following subject areas:
  - humanities
  - fine arts
  - cultural studies
  - social sciences
  - behavioural sciences
  - health sciences
  - natural sciences 
  or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
  Exemption from Swedish

Threshold requirements

In order to get access to the second year of the programme – the third semester – the student must have successfully passed at least 37,5 credits of the first year’s courses.

Degree requirements

The student will be awarded a Degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with a major in Ethnic and Migration Studies provided all course requirements are completed and that the student fulfils the general and specific eligibility requirements including proof of holding a Bachelor's (kandidat) or a corresponding degree.

Completed courses will be listed in the degree certificate.
 

A degree certificate will be issued by the faculty board on application by the student. A diploma supplement will be included as an appendix to the degree certificate.

Degree in Swedish

Filosofie masterexamen med huvudområde Etnicitet och migration

Degree in English

Degree of Master of Arts (120 credits) with a major in Ethnic and Migration Studies

Specific information

Language of instruction

Language of instruction is English.
 

Transferred credits

Decisions about transferring credit are taken by the faculty board, or by a person designated by the board, after application from the student.

Other information

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this programme syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.