Roads to Democracies

Study Program

The M.A. Roads to Democracies - Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Politics and Culture is research-oriented, international and interdisciplinary. It is offered by the Department of History and Department of Social Sciences. Further partner universities are involved in student exchange. The program aims to provide students with analytical tools and theoretical knowledge that help to understand and explain the interrelation between institutional structures, political processes and the social and cultural foundations of democracy. The interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of democratic ideas, institutions and structures both in and outside of Europe.

The language of instruction and examination is English. Students may attend courses instructed in other languages in the area of additional special studies and transferable skills. One Introductory Module consisting of two courses:

• Theories of Democracy
• Methods in History and Social Sciences

One Method-Module consisting of the courses:

• Methodology and Methods
• Research Seminar

Five Thematic Modules

• Actors and Institutions in Historical and Contemporary Perspective
• Political Cultures and the Public Sphere: Past and Present
• Global and Transnational Processes: Past and Present
• Democracies in Comparative Perspective
• Thematic Module Abroad (Partner University)

A Thesis Module comprising thesis forums and tutorials, the Master's Thesis and the Master's thesis presentation.

Two additional practical modules including transferable skills, language courses and additional optional seminars. The language centre at the University of Siegen offers free courses in various different languages.

One Internship (8 weeks)

The Master’s program qualifies successful graduates to pursue a further academic qualification within doctoral studies/PhD studies and provides a good basis for responsible positions in international organisations and NGOs, international aid and development agencies, research institutions and institutes of higher education of the public and private sector, culture agencies and cultural heritage institutions, publishing houses, journalism and media agencies concerned with international and intercultural communication, political parties, associations, foundations, international and internationally operating companies.

 

Admission requirements 

Admission to the Master's program requires a proof of a study-related special qualification. A study-related special qualification is ascertained when the submitted documents, in particular the transcript of records, the letter of motivation and the exposé show that the student has the ability to conduct independent scientific work and has the relevant methodological competencies that enable him/her to successfully complete the Master's program. The assessment of the study-related special qualification is part of the application procedure.

 

Admission procedure / Application

Applicants need to submit the following documents:

• Letter of motivation (English, 750 to 1000 words with information about professional qualifications, personal motivation described from a professional-scientific perspective)
• Short CV in English (English)
• Certified copies of university degree certificates, transcripts of records and university entrance certificate
• Language certificates (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, see website for further information)
• An exposé of research ideas for the applicant's potential Master's thesis of 2000 to 2500 words in English, which must meet scientific standards
• A letter of recommendation from a university professor in English

Please consult the program website for further information concerning the application procedure. The assessment of the study-related special qualification is part of the application procedure. It is based on the submitted application documents.

 

Internship

The study plan includes an internship.

 

Language

English

A very good command of English (equivalent to Level C1 of the Common European Framework) documented by internationally recognized test certificates (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL).

 

Study organization

Examination regulations/degree plan/module manuals/internship rules

Examination regulations (POs) specify the basic structures of a degree program (e.g. admission requirements and contents to be studied). Students are automatically subject to the current version of their PO when they matriculate for their first subject-related semester. This means that even if the PO changes during their studies, the original version according to which they matriculated will remain valid (provided that the PO does not expire).
The respective degree plan is the recommended example progress of the studies in individual subjects and is part of a PO.
Supplementary provisions and details for any module to be studied can be found in the module manual (e.g. requirements for taking a written test or content-related information on the modules/events, ...).
The internship rules define the conditions under which the required or optional internships must be completed.

We recommend at least looking at the study schedule for your degree program before the lecture time starts, to ensure that you know which modules are intended for the start of your studies.

• Examination regulations, module manual and internship rules