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MA Environment, Culture and Society (Research)

Scheme of study

This MA is specifically designed to equip students intending to pursue doctoral research in the area of environmental sociology. It is recognised by the ESRC for postgraduate (1+3) funding.

This research training Masters is intended to pursue the general aims of the Environment, Culture and Public Policy pathway of the MA in Society, Technology and Nature, while also:

• giving students a rigorous introduction to key issues in the methodology of social science, both generally and as these bear on the substantive subject matter explored;
• expanding their proficiency in a range of generic research skills which will prepare them both for further research in the social sciences and for employment after their period of study; and
• assisting them to develop their PhD proposal and to acquire research skills relevant to this topic.

During their MA study, students take six modules and complete a dissertation.

All students take the following four compulsory modules:

Michaelmas term

SOCL521: Environment and Culture
FASS506: Undertaking Doctoral Research and Surviving it. (20 credits)

Lent term

FASS510: Qualitative Methods in the Social Sciences (20 credits)
FASS512: Social Data Analysis (20 credits)

Each student also takes a further two modules (20 credits each), normally selected from these modules*:

SOCL527: Ecology, Conservation and Culture
SOCL906: Science, Technology & Society
SOCL930: Policy, Publics and Expertise
GEOG420: Environmental Justice

All six modules are assessed, generally with a 5,000-word essay; students do two such assessments in each of the Michaelmas, Lent and Summer terms.

The dissertation (15,000 words, 60 credits) is written and submitted in sections and typically consists of: literature review; a PhD draft research proposal; pilot empirical research and/or methodological/theoretical reflections on the orientation and conduct of the PhD project.

Students receive supervision from their prospective PhD supervisors during their MA year, in order to help them link their MA study and training better to their intended doctoral research.

* Please note that not all of these modules may be available in any given year.