16.04.2009
Successful “Global Studies Programme” expands

The “Global Studies Programme” (M.Sc.), which already has seven successful years under its belt, is expanding. Students working towards a master’s degree in Freiburg/Germany, Durban/South Africa and New Delhi/India now have the option of going to Buenos Aires/Argentina instead of Durban for one semester or, in the near future, to Bangkok/Thailand rather than New Delhi. The two-year degree course focuses primarily on sociology, anthropology, political science, human geography and a crash course in environmental science. The entry requirements are a degree in social sciences or in a related subject as well as proven proficiency in the English language and a strong social involvement.

The degree course begins in the summer semester at the University of Freiburg, followed immediately by a semester at the University of Kwazulu Natal in Durban or FLACSO Argentina in Buenos Aires (August to December) and a further semester at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi or soon in Bangkok (January to May). Three semesters of study on three different continents lead up to a practice component in a country of the student’s choice. Students write their theses in the autumn and spring of the second year and then sit exams which are organised in Freiburg via video conference. About one third of those completing the degree carry on to do a PhD. The degree course is unique in Germany and has already won several prizes, including a place in the “Top Ten” master’s degrees in 2006 by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The course’s “mixed culture concept” confronts students with entirely new challenges every time they change locations, according to Freiburg’s university magazine: in India staying healthy, in South Africa staying secure and in Germany getting to grips with relatively high prices.

www.global-studies.de
www.uni-freiburg.de