General study plan for third-cycle programmes in Sociology

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1 Date of adoption: 02/06/2016 Ref. no: 2016/ Faculty of Social Sciences Third-cycle education at Linnaeus University is regulated by the Swedish Higher Education Act and Higher Education Ordinance and local guidelines for third-cycle programmes adopted by the University. The relevant decision-making bodies are set out in the University s decision-making and delegation policy. General study plan for third-cycle programmes in Sociology The general study plan for third-cycle programmes in Sociology was adopted by the Faculty Board for Social Sciences on 02/06/2016 and came into effect on 01/07/2016. Individual progress within the general study plan is monitored through the individual study plan. 1. Subject area Sociology is the study of social phenomena. It includes the study both of how society is organised and works and of interaction and relationships between people. Sociologists attempt to understand and explain social processes and social relationships, and take an interest both in what makes society reproduce itself and what makes it change. 2. Programme objectives General objectives for the awarding of a doctoral or licentiate degree are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1a. 2a. Subject-specific objectives The aim of the programme is to enable students to progressively develop an advanced ability to undertake academic analysis of and independent research into social structures, processes and actors. On completion of the programme, the student will therefore be able to demonstrate knowledge of theory of science and methodology, experience of both theoretical analysis and concrete research, reflexivity in research ethics, a thorough knowledge of key sociological theories and perspectives, a broad knowledge of social conditions and awareness of the opportunities and limits of sociological research. The student will develop a consistently critical and reflective approach to both theoretical and methodological issues. The programme will prepare students for a research and teaching career within academia and also provide the professional expertise necessary for work roles outside academia. 3. Eligibility 3a. General entry requirements General entry requirements are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1b. 3b. Specific entry requirements Rules on permissible specific entry requirements are set out in chapter 7, section 40 of the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1b. Students applying for admission to third-cycle programmes must have acquired 90 credits in sociology or a closely-related subject or essentially the equivalent knowledge in some other way either in Sweden or abroad. 1

2 4. Assessment and selection criteria General rules on selection criteria and the basis of assessment are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance: see Appendix 1c. Admissions are also regulated by Linnaeus University s local admissions system and Local regulations for education at third-cycle level. The assessment of an applicant s ability to benefit from the third-cycle programme is based on the research expertise evidenced in academic work that the applicant has undertaken or participated in. The applicant or applicants considered best placed to achieve the objectives of the programme will be accepted. The indicators used for assessment are: The quality of the applicant s previous writings and other qualifications, in respect of - presentation of research problems and research aims - use of previous research and choice of theoretical perspective - choice of method and the practical application of methodical skills - integration of theory into analysis, interpretation and conclusions - academic rigour and ability to craft well-written prose adequate for the genre Originality, feasibility and potential contribution to the field of research The department s ability to provide appropriate supervision. 5. Content and design of the programme The programme is delivered through seminars, supervision and courses. Various forms of support are in place for the work of preparing a thesis, with the aim of ensuring that both the thesis and the research are of high quality. On admission, the student will be allocated a principal supervisor, at least one assistant supervisor and an examiner. The student will follow and be assessed on the courses in the programme. An individual study plan will be drawn up for each student, detailing funding, supervision, courses and planned and completed work on the thesis. The student will take part in the department s seminar programme both as presenter and commentator. During the course of their studies, the student will present their research at national and international conferences appropriate to the discipline and topic of the thesis. 5a. Doctoral degree A doctoral degree normally requires four years of full-time study and will be awarded on completion of a 240-credit programme, comprising a course element of 75 credits and successful completion of an academic thesis worth 165 credits. Courses The course element comprises both compulsory and elective courses. The choice of elective courses to be included in the degree is decided by the examiner in consultation with the student and principal supervisor. Compulsory courses Methods and methodology Philosophy of science Quantitative methods Qualitative methods Sociological theory Classical sociological theory 2

3 Modern sociological theory Elective courses Elective courses within or outside of the subject 3 For the courses in the third-cycle programme, students will be examined on: A written report as stipulated for the course in question. Students will be graded either pass or fail. The grade will be determined by a tutor appointed to the course (examiner). Doctoral thesis The thesis is worth 165 credits. Quality assurance of the doctoral thesis project In addition to the ongoing support and control structures mentioned above, the student must present the work on their thesis at three special seminars: Within one year of the start of their programme, they must present a thesis memorandum outlining the planned content of their thesis. After two years, they must present their work on their thesis at an interim seminar. In the concluding stages of thesis preparation, they must hold a seminar at which they present all parts of their thesis. The examiner is responsible for a separate review of the thesis manuscript before an application for a public defence is submitted to the faculty. If the examiner considers the thesis to be of a sufficiently high standard, an Application for public defence of thesis is submitted. Defence of the thesis will involve an external reviewer, three regular members of the examining committee and one deputising member of the committee. The external reviewer must have docent status as a minimum (except in special circumstances), and be from a different institution. The examining committee must include at least one member who is not a member of staff at Linnaeus University. The examining committee may include no more than one member active in the same subject/environment as the candidate. All members of the examining committee should have docent status as a minimum or have an equivalent level of expertise. The candidate s supervisor may not be a member of the examining committee. Both sexes must be represented on the examining committee. For the examination and grading of the doctoral thesis, Linnaeus University s Local regulations for education at third-cycle level will apply. 5 b. Licentiate degree A licentiate degree normally requires two years of full-time study and will be awarded on completion of a programme of at least 120 credits, comprising a course element of 3 and successful completion of an academic thesis worth 82.5 credits. A licentiate thesis must be defended at a public seminar. Courses The course element comprises compulsory courses. Compulsory courses Methods and methodology Philosophy of science Quantitative methods Qualitative methods Sociological theory Classical sociological theory Modern sociological theory 3

4 Licentiate thesis Licentiate students must complete an academic thesis worth 82.5 credits. The thesis must be based on independent research and be of a high academic standard. The thesis can be written in Swedish or English. Quality assurance of licentiate thesis projects In addition to the ongoing support and control structures, as mentioned above, the student must present the work on their thesis at two special seminars: Within one semester of the start of their programme, they must present a thesis memorandum outlining the planned content of their thesis. In the concluding stages of thesis preparation, they must hold a final seminar at which they present all parts of their thesis. The examiner is responsible for reviewing the thesis, or the constituent parts of the thesis, and judging that it meets the degree objectives before an application for a licentiate seminar is submitted. Applications should be made using the form Application for a licentiate seminar. The seminar will involve an external reviewer, three regular members of the examining committee and one deputising member of the committee. The external reviewer should have docent status as a minimum, although they must have at least a doctoral degree, and be from a different institution. The examining committee must include at least one member who is not a member of staff at Linnaeus University. The examining committee may include no more than one member active in the same subject/environment as the candidate. All members of the examining committee should have docent status as a minimum or have an equivalent level of expertise. The candidate s supervisor may not be a member of the examining committee. Both sexes must be represented on the examining committee. For the examination and grading of the licentiate thesis, Linnaeus University s Local regulations for education at third-cycle level will apply. The thesis will be graded by the examining committee. 6. Title of qualification The discipline of Sociology awards philosophy titles in relation to third-cycle programmes. 7. Transitional rules relating to earlier general study plan A doctoral student admitted to study following an older general study plan can complete the programme in accordance with this plan provided that the current Higher Education Ordinance is complied with. Doctoral students admitted to study in accordance with an older study plan for third-cycle Sociology or Sociology with an education focus have the right to change to the current general syllabus. 8. Possibility to obtain a partial qualification Third-cycle Sociology students aiming ultimately to achieve a doctoral degree have the possibility to obtain a partial qualification in the form of a licentiate degree. Appendix 1. Extract from Higher Education Ordinance. Appendix 2. Meeting the degree objectives for third-cycle programmes in Sociology 4

5 Appendix 1. Extract from Higher Education Ordinance 1a) Qualifications ordinance 1b) Eligibility 1c) Assessment and selection criteria 1d) Admission 1e) Individual study plan 1a) Qualifications ordinance Higher Education Ordinance Annex 2 Qualifications Ordinance For a doctoral degree to be awarded, the following objectives must be met: Knowledge and understanding For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate broad expertise in and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialised knowledge in a defined area of this field, and - demonstrate familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular. Competence and skills For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate a capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations independently and critically, - demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, independently and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other advanced tasks within predetermined time frames, and to review and evaluate such work, - demonstrate through a thesis the ability to make a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge through their own research - demonstrate the ability, in both national and international contexts, to present and discuss research and research findings authoritatively in speech and writing in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, - demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge, and - demonstrate the capacity to contribute to social development and support the learning of others either through research and education or in another advanced professional capacity. Judgement and approaches For a doctoral degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate intellectual independence and academic integrity as well as the ability to make judgements about research ethics, and - demonstrate in-depth insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used. Higher Education Ordinance Annex 2 Qualifications Ordinance For a licentiate degree to be awarded, the following objectives must be met: Knowledge and understanding For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall 5

6 - demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the field of research including current specialist knowledge in a defined area of this field as well as in-depth knowledge of research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular. Competence and skills For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, independently and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake a limited piece of research and other advanced tasks within predetermined timeframes in order to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, and to evaluate this work, - demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts to clearly present and discuss research and research findings in speech and writing in dialogue with the academic community and society in general, and - demonstrate the skills required to participate independently in research and development work and to work independently in some other advanced capacity. Judgement and approaches For a licentiate degree, the third-cycle student shall - demonstrate the ability to judge the ethical aspects of their own research - 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 their ongoing learning. 1b) Eligibility Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 35 To be admitted to third-cycle programmes, the applicant must 1. meet the general and specific entry requirements laid down by the higher education institution, and 2. be deemed to have the ability to benefit from the programme in other respects. General entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 39 A person meets the general entry requirements for third-cycle programmes if they 1. have been awarded a second-cycle qualification, 2. have satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second-cycle, or 3. have acquired essentially the equivalent knowledge in some other way either in Sweden or abroad. The higher education institution may grant an exemption from the general entry requirements for an individual applicant where there are special circumstances. Specific entry requirements Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 40 Any specific entry requirements must be essential to enable students to benefit from the programme. The requirements may relate to 1. knowledge acquired from one or more higher education programmes or equivalent programmes, 2. specific professional or vocational experience, and 3. language skills or other essential conditions determined by the programme. 6

7 1c) Assessment and selection criteria Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 41 When choosing between applicants who meet the requirements laid down in sections 35 & 36, the institution must take into account the ability of applicants to benefit from the programme. The institution decides the assessment criteria to be used in determining the ability to benefit from the programme. However, the ability of an applicant to transfer credits from previous programmes or to be credited for professional or vocational experience may not in itself give that applicant priority over other applicants. 1d) Admission procedures Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 37 Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institution. A person wishing to be admitted to a third-cycle programme shall apply within the time prescribed and in compliance with the procedures laid down by the institution. When an institution is in a position to admit one or several third-cycle students, it shall make relevant information available by advertising or some equivalent method. However, information does not need to be made available 1. where a doctoral student is to complete the programme in the context of employment with an employer other than the institution, 2. where a doctoral student has previously commenced third-cycle studies at another institution, or 3. in other similar special circumstances. Ordinance (2006:1053). Higher Education Ordinance chapter 7, section 38 A higher education institution that has been entitled to award third-cycle qualifications within an area may permit a third-cycle student who has been admitted to another university or higher education institution to transfer without a new admission process to the institution to continue their programme and be assessed. This only applies, however, if the student has completed the major part of his or her third-cycle studies at the higher education institution in the study area in which entitlement to award third-cycle qualifications has been granted. The statement in the first paragraph is to apply similarly to a higher education institution that in having been granted the title of university is entitled pursuant to chapter 1, section 11 of the Higher Education Act (1992:1434) to award third-cycle qualifications. Ordinance (2010:1064). 7

8 1e) Individual study plan Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6, section 29 An individual study plan shall be drawn up for each doctoral student. The plan will contain the undertakings made by the student and the institution and a timetable for the student's study programme. It will be agreed following consultation with the student and their supervisors, and will be regularly reviewed and amended by the university as necessary after consultation with the student and their supervisors. The period of study may be extended only in special circumstances. Special circumstances include absence due to illness, leave of absence for military service or for an elected position in a trade union or student organisation, or parental leave. Ordinance (2010:1064). 8

9 Appendix 2. Meeting the degree objectives for third-cycle programmes in Sociology The Higher Education Ordinance s general degree objectives, listed in Appendix 1, will be met through participation in the three main components of the third-cycle programme: courses, seminars and thesis preparation work. The doctoral student will acquire broad knowledge and a broad understanding of their research field through the basic course requirements, and by regularly attending seminars in the research community of their discipline and seminar community of their subject. The compulsory courses included in the third-cycle programme ensure that doctoral and licentiate students can demonstrate the breadth of knowledge required of a university lecturer in sociology at a Swedish higher education institution. The doctoral student will acquire an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their field by actively taking part in relevant conferences and through their own research. The doctoral student will actively select advanced courses that support their own research in consultation with their supervisors and examiner. The doctoral student will develop competence and skills, in particular in academic methodology, through their own research, reinforced by courses, seminars and participation in national and international conferences. The doctoral student is expected to demonstrate a high proportion of the competence and skills set out in the Higher Education Ordinance s objectives in their work on preparing the thesis. The principal supervisor will lead and plan the work on the thesis, breaking it down into supervisory sessions, essays/chapters, seminars and conferences, thus ensuring the step-bystep achievement of the competences and skills to be demonstrated through the thesis work. The work will be planned, documented and reviewed in the student s individual study plan. The student will develop judgement and approaches by undertaking courses in academic theory that include aspects of research ethics, and by actively participating in seminars in the subject. 9