About Social and Behavioural Sciences, BSc - at Erasmus University College, Erasmus University Rotterdam
At the end of their first year at EUC, students declare their Major, which is a central component of the curriculum. It consist of a comprehensive set of courses (75 EC) that builds a solid foundation in a particular discipline. Each Major will be concluded with a capstone project, in which a Major-related topic of the student's choice will be explored under the guidance of a supervisor. In addition to the Major, students have the option to choose an EUC Minor (30 EC). At EUC, you can choose from the following Majors:
Sociology
The major Sociology prepares students to be future analysts of contemporary societies. Sociology helps you to both understand and change the world you live in. The study of sociology links together the social, economic, political, cultural and ecological aspects of a changing global society. Processes such as urbanisation, globalisation, individualisation, the increasing salience of new media, and modernisation in general have had profound impact on both people and places. Classical sociological themes as social inequality, social cohesion and identity are introduced with a diverse range of concrete issues, and their main themes are reviewed and assessed with empirical research. Graduates with a major in sociology are capable of applying their knowledge to relate everyday situations – in organisations, families, or society in general – to broader social structures and developments, thereby contributing invaluable insights into the workings of society.
Psychology
The major Psychology introduces students to the fascinating world of human behaviour: why do we behave as we do? In this major you will learn how to use scientific findings and psychological methods to understand and analyse human behaviour, cognitions and emotions, and how to apply these findings and methods to help people to improve their behaviour, cognitions, and emotions. This scientific knowledge can be applied, but is not limited to, the fields of work, sport, law and physical or mental health. The major Psychology offers courses in basic or fundamental psychology (e.g., cognitive and personality psychology) and applied psychology (e.g. clinical, developmental and health psychology). In addition, the major Psychology provides students with the basic interpersonal skills and tools to assess clients’ behaviour and needs. It furthermore develops students’ statistical knowledge to be able to conduct research in psychology and related fields, and it helps students to develop their scientific writing skills.
Students who major in this programme can follow a master programme in the various fields of psychology and pedagogy or in health sciences.
International Law
The International Law Major provides students with tools to understand the working of the global legal system and its relations with the social and political environment surrounding us. The courses are designed to show the students – within an interdisciplinary environment – that whatever they see around them has a legal aspect. Every political, social, natural or economic process has a legal aspect, which may be driving that process or may be constrained/motivated by that process.
The aim is to prepare students for masters of International or EU Law (or other masters programmes in which a solid basis of law is required) at top universities in the Netherlands and the world.
Political Science & International Relations
The major in Political Science & International Relations (POLIR) introduces you to the dynamic world of politics.
POLIR offers an interdisciplinary perspective on politics and world affairs by focusing on how states, non-state actors, social movements and international organisations are organised and interact in the 21st century. The major will familiarise you with the main sub-fields within Political Science: Comparative Politics, International Relations, Public Policy and Political Philosophy. Furthermore, POLIR will raise your sensibility to both Western as well as non-Western perspectives, and equips you with essential analytical tools to develop yourself into a critical world citizen and contribute to making social change.
Within the major, you will develop research, writing, and communication skills to analyse political behaviour and processes across national and international arenas. A diverse range of assessment methods will allow you to develop skills in policy analysis, data visualisation, negotiation, and news literacy. A wide range of elective courses allows you to combine critical and empirical approaches in order to tailor your own curriculum. This diversity reflects the various ways one can engage with political issues.
Critical insight into politics and international affairs is a useful asset in a wide range of careers, from government, diplomacy, academia, advocacy, business to journalism. POLIR is thus a versatile major that helps you prepare for a variety of postgraduate programmes in and outside the Netherlands.
Learn more about Social and Behavioural Sciences, BSc - at Erasmus University College, Erasmus University Rotterdam
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