Education
The Institute for Social Sciences & Humanities, also known as Iran Academia, is dedicated to academic teaching in the humanities and social sciences. The objective of the Institute is to advance rigorous learning opportunities for students interested in examining and analyzing current events and social developments occurring in Iran through the prism of the modern world.
Social Studies Program
The Social Studies program is an interdisciplinary master’s level study program that aims to provide students with a strong foundation for understanding social developments. Its main objectives are:
- Introducing students to critical thinking and writing, foundational social science theories, and social science methodologies.
- Exposing students to more advanced approaches to examining social developments in the realm of political philosophy, sociological theory, and political economy, including case study research courses in gender, social movements, human rights, and good governance.
- Examining advanced topics in the aforementioned social studies disciplines and supervising students in planning and conducting thesis research projects.
Language Of Instruction
The principal language of instruction will be Persian. However, students may occasionally opt to complete their assignments in another language prevalent in Iran subject to the availability of instructors. Students may also elect to complete their assignments in several foreign languages. The option to complete academic work in a language other than Persian will require the prior approval of instructors. Some of the course-related resources are in English and obviously, a good command of English reading will be considered a prerequisite to admission.
Study Load
The Social Studies program is a one-year study program for 60 ECTS. The Program will consist of courses valued at 7.5 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and a thesis of 15 ECTS. Students must at least enroll in six courses (45 ECTS) during the study program.
Components
The Institute offers a 12-month program in Social Studies. This Academic guide provides an overview of the program in Social Studies. The Social Studies program encompasses the following elements: Methodology, Fundamentals, and Elective Courses/Tracks.
Methodology
In particular, this program will, by means of a critical approach, focus on the methodology of social science research.
Fundamentals
As Social Studies is an interdisciplinary field of study, the principal aim of the fundamental courses is to provide students with sufficient theoretical knowledge and understanding of its main underlying disciplines: critical thinking and political philosophy, sociological theories, and political economy.
Elective Courses/Tracks
The Social Studies program offers the opportunity to specialize further in a specific area of interest. A specialization consists of a) a designated set of two courses (15 ECTS s in total) that fit well together, and b) a thesis that addresses an issue, problem, or question within the theme of the specialization. This means that the successful completion of two designated specialization courses alone is not sufficient for a specialization to be mentioned on the transcript. The Thesis is also part of the specialization.