Contemporary Social Theory

Contemporary Social Theory

This programme was designed primarily for applicants who plan to be engaged in social science - to conduct research, actively release their publications, and become a part of the international academic community. Applicants who plan to work in analytical, consulting and expert centers will learn how to process large amounts of information, to master present-day methods related to data analysis and learn how to write relevant texts.

Research Activities

From the second year, students are involved in real research projects, which gives them an opportunity to gain initial work-related experience.

Unique Team of Lecturers

The program is delivered by representatives of the academic community and popular experts.
Sociology becomes more tangible when they share, for example, some practical case studies. On the other hand, it becomes more text-centered: I better understand how important an academic text is and how you can work with it. We now have a separate course in academic writing, in English. For me science has become more about people who are engaged in it. Also because now, in Moscow, I am fortunate to meet and talk to people whose books I used to read earlier.
Vasilina Radkova, student of the Contemporary Social Theory programme

Students and Lecturers are Colleagues

Lecturers share relevant specialized information with students, engage them in academic life, and this helps many students to unleash their creative potential and perform research, translate texts, write articles and analytical reports at a high professional level.
Our classes require student commitment. Even during lectures, it is important that the lecturer does not just give “off the shelf” knowledge, while students would passively accept it, it is important for us to hear feedback and questions. At seminars and practical classes, everyone should have the opportunity to express themselves regarding the studied material. Here you cannot "sleep off" at lectures, "sit behind other students’ backs" at seminars, and to memorize information from the first textbook you find to get prepared for the exam.
Anastasia Astakhova, academic supervisor of the Bachelor Degree program Contemporary Social Theory

Practical Training

Students undertake their practical training in research sociological centers (the RANEPA Center for Sociological Research, RANEPA International Center for Contemporary Social Theory, Public Opinion Foundation, etc.)

Some disciplines are delivered in English.

Our students are “people of the world”; many students, already when they apply to our programs, have a good command of foreign languages. They are intellectual, easily get involved in discussions, it is interesting to work with them.
Anastasia Astakhova, Academic Supervisor of the Bachelor Degree program Contemporary Social Theory

Two Foreign Languages

Students learn two foreign languages from the first year.
  1. English is a compulsory foreign language. Prior to studying, students’ knowledge of English is tested and then the students are divided into groups according to the language proficiency level.
  2. Students choose the second foreign language from 4 available languages: French, German, Spanish or Chinese.

Shaninka is highly demanding in terms of languages in. Even I, a native English speaker, sometimes get into a trouble, when I do now understand something. And there is an opportunity to choose any second language to learn. My brother is now entering a university in England, and he is provided with the same language choices that we have.
Mika Lipman, student of a Bachelor Degree program

International Internships

International language and professional internships, and summer schools in the UK and other European countries:
- Language courses at Coventry University;
- Language courses in the country of the second studied language (France, Germany, Spain, China, etc., after the second year of study);
- Professional internships at Coventry University.

Development of critical thinking and academic writing skills in Russian and English.

When we have discussions during our classes, everyone participates in the discussion and the level of engagement depends on how much you have to contribute to the discussion. It does not happen this way that there is one talking head while the rest of us must agree with what is being said and cannot challenge it because of the speaker’s authority. Authority is shaped through discussion.
Vasilina Radkova, student of the program Contemporary Social Theory

Program Flexibility

The first year of study at the Bachelor Degree programs is the same for all disciplines. Thus students may change their choice of specialization during the studies. The programs are flexible and enable students to select some disciplines fitting their professional needs and academic interests.

Training Program

1st term – general education disciplines. Mastering general education disciplines together with other UK Bachelor Degree program students;
2nd term – 4th termс. Mastering specialized disciplines, work placements and internships

Major Subjects

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated, please contact us for the latest information.
  • History of Sociology
  • Academic Writing
  • Social Anthropology and Ethnographic Research Methods
  • Social Psychology
  • Poverty and Social Justice: Theories and Research
  • Information Technology and Applied Statistics Methods for Sociologists
  • Methodology and Methods of Sociological Research
  • Communication Theory: Media and Society
  • Epistemology
  • Studies of Ethnicity, Migration, and Nationalism
  • Sociology of Everyday Life
  • Political Sociology
  • Contemporary Sociological Theories
  • Qualitative Methods in Sociology
  • Power and Inequality

  • Philosophical Foundations of Scientific Knowledge
  • Organizational Studies
  • Research Technology
  • Culture Study Methods
  • Economic Sociology
  • Marketing
  • Game Theory
  • Biographical Method in Sociology
  • Focus Group Method
  • Optional Disciplines
  • Public Communications (Media, Organizations, and Civil Society)
  • Sociology of Knowledge
  • Organizing, Preparing, Presenting Sociological Research
  • Education Research
  • Urban Exploration
  • Gender Studies
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Analyzing Data in Quantitative Research
  • Phenomenological Philosophy and Sociology
  • Applied Ethics
  • Science and Technology Research
  • Optional disciplines
  • Social Theory and Sociology of Emotions
  • Microsociology
  • Visual Research
  • Philosophy of Politics
  • Semiotics and Text Analysis
  • Philosophy of Language
  • Sociology of Religion
  • Sociobiology
  • Fundamentals of Research
  • Fundamentals of Design Thinking

Alumni Career Paths

  • Research centers conducting sociological, social political and marketing research;
  • Marketing agencies;
  • Analytical services;
  • HR training and development services;
  • Mass media;
  • Consulting organizations.

Contact Us

+7 495 642 92 46
+7 968 825 85 57
e-mail: soboleva.dk@gmail.com

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